Qatar Airways has become the first airline to trial Covid-19 vaccine authentication through the IATA Travel Pass ‘Digital Passport’ mobile app. As more travellers return to the skies, the airline remains committed to reducing paperwork and providing a more contactless, secure and seamless travel experience for its passengers.

The trial will be rolled out in phases from July, 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.

Commenting on the development, Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar Al Baker said: “Despite the significant challenges the pandemic has caused international aviation, our industry has continued to be a leader in adopting new technologies and innovations to ensure a safe, secure and seamless travel experience for our passengers.

“Qatar Airways is proud to lead the way by becoming the first airline to trial Covid-19 vaccine authentication through the IATA Travel Pass digital passport mobile app. I want to especially thank Qatar’s ministries of Public Health and the Interior, as well as Primary Health Care Corporation and Hamad Medical Corporation, as without their ongoing support, this trial would not be possible.”

“Qatar Airways and the Qatari Government are showing leadership by becoming the first to trial the verification of passengers’ vaccine credentials through IATA Travel Pass. Certificates of Covid-19 vaccination or testing status will be key to restoring people’s freedom to travel”, added IATA director general Willie Walsh. Trials by Qatar Airways and some 70 other airlines have demonstrated that the IATA Travel Pass can efficiently manage test results. This important new trial focusing on vaccination status will build even more confidence in the pass as a complete solution for travellers, governments and airlines.”

Earlier this month, the carrier announced that it was the first airline in the Middle East to secure accreditation at the highest level of the IATA Environmental Assessment Programme (IEnvA).