Following successful trials, Etihad Airways has expanded the IATA Travel Pass on flights between Abu Dhabi and seven destinations across its network as it continues to implement digital solutions to simplify the travel experience in the wake of the pandemic. Etihad  was one of the first airlines to begin testing the pass globally in April this year.

The IATA Travel Pass is available for guests on all Etihad flights between Abu Dhabi and Bangkok, Barcelona, Geneva, Madrid, Milan, New York and Singapore and offers the convenience of a one-stop platform for managing Covid-19 documentation.

“The feedback from the IATA Travel Pass trial has been positive, with Etihad’s guests appreciating its ease-of-use and data security. Etihad is pleased to now make the pass available on flights to and from seven major global cities, providing more guests with the option of simplifying their journey and airport experience”, said Etihad Aviation Group’s chief operating officer, Mohammad Al Bulooki.

IATA’s senior vice-president for operations, safety and security, Nick Careen, added: “Etihad’s decision to expand the IATA Travel Pass based on positive customer feedback is a strong endorsement of the solution. The pass was designed to provide a one-stop-shop solution for travellers to safely and efficiently manage their Covid-19 documentation and generate an ‘OK to Travel’ which airlines can trust. It’s great to see the app in use facilitating the restart of international travel.”

At the start of July, Qatar Airways became the first airline to trial Covid-19 vaccine authentication through the IATA Travel Pass ‘Digital Passport’ mobile app. The trial will be rolled out in phases, beginning initially with cabin crew returning to Doha travelling from Kuwait, London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris and Sydney.

Cabin crew will be able to upload their Qatar issued Covid-19 vaccination credentials along with their results to the IATA Travel Pass mobile app and verify they are eligible to travel. On arrival in Doha, crew will then be able to safely and securely share their vaccination certificate and proceed through immigration at the airport.