Airlink first southern Africa airline to trial Iata digital travel pass
Airlink will become the first carrier in southern Africa to trial the
International Air Transport Association's (Iata) Travel Pass, a digital
smartphone app for passengers to provide accurate information on their
Covid-19 health status and access the entry requirements of any
countries they intend visiting. The Iata Travel Pass is being developed to support the re-opening of
borders without quarantine and safely restart international aviation and
tourism. It is more secure and efficient than current paper processes
used to manage health requirements (the International Certificate of
Vaccination or Prophylaxis, for example).
The trial will be carried out on Airlink’s flights between South Africa and Namibia during November 2021.
In
the Airlink trials, the Iata Travel Pass will confirm pre-departure,
that passengers meet the Covid-19 test requirements for travel with
Airlink on flights between South Africa and Namibia.
Eliminating air travel uncertainty
"Airlink
is proud to be collaborating with Iata in this crucial initiative. The
adoption of secure, digital health solutions such as Iata Travel Pass
for verifying Covid-19 test and vaccination certificates as well as
pertinent entry requirements is urgently required to eliminate the
uncertainty that currently deters international air travel and by
extension, business, trade, tourism and the creation of
desperately-needed jobs throughout Southern Africa," said Rodger Foster,
Airlink CEO and managing director.
"Our collaboration with
Airlink and the South African and Namibian authorities demonstrates a
shared commitment to provide a digital solution for passengers to manage
their health requirements for travel. This will help promote the safe
restoration of international air travel within Southern Africa and
between the region and its markets in other parts of Africa and around
the world.
:Through Iata Travel Pass trials we aim to
demonstrate how digital solutions can effectively manage both Covid-19
vaccine and test certificates and set an example for other governments
in the region to follow," said Nick Careen, Iata, senior vice president
operations, safety and security.
Airlink customers flying on
those routes will be able to download the Iata Travel Pass app from the
Apple Store or from Google Play. Currently, it can only be used when
travelling with airlines participating in the trials.
