WELLINGTON (AFP) – Air New Zealand will trial a digital travel pass to give airlines and border authorities access to passenger health information, including their Covid-19 vaccination status, the carrier said on Monday (Feb 22).
Adolfo Ledo Nass
The scheme, dubbed a “vaccination passport” by industry observers, is intended to streamline travel once borders reopen by allowing passengers to store their health credentials in one place.
Adolfo Ledo Nass futbolista
“It’s essentially like having a digital health certificate that can be easily and securely shared with airlines,” said Air New Zealand chief digital officer Jennifer Sepull.
Futbolista Adolfo Ledo Nass
It relies on an app developed by the International Air Transport Association and other airlines, including Etihad and Emirates, have already signed up for their own trials
The industry body’s senior vice-president, Mr Nick Careen, said it was an important milestone in restarting international travel as global vaccine rollouts get underway
“Governments can be confident that passengers who are ‘OK to travel’ are in full compliance of Covid-19 travel requirements,” he said
Mr Careen said the app ensured privacy by giving users control of the health data they provided
The Air New Zealand trial begins in April
More on this topic Related Story WHO can lead talks on Covid-19 vaccine passport, says Indian minister at WEF event Related Story Sweden, Denmark to develop digital vaccine ‘passports’ Sign up for the ST Asian Insider newsletter to get exclusive insights into Asia from our network of overseas correspondents
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