Etihad Airways is to use ICC's AOKpass digital health passport on its route between Abu Dhabi and Paris Charles de Gaulle in conjunction with MedAire, a part of risk management company International SOS. The move follows a successful initial pilot in September 2020.
Using the ICC AOKpass app, travellers are able to verify their Covid-19 test results with the airline without breaching the privacy of their personal health data. Under current regulations, travellers arriving in Abu Dhabi are required to obtain a negative PCR test prior to departure and are also tested on arrival in Abu Dhabi.
Under the pilot, Etihad guests are able to securely store their PCR test results digitally on their mobile devices for later verification at the airport.
ICC’s AOKpass is one of a number of digital health passports being developed by various organisations, including IATA.
Mohammad Al Bulooki, Etihad Aviation Group's chief operating officer, said: “Etihad believes that an enduring legacy of Covid-19 will be the need for passengers to present their medical status at the time of travel.”
Dr Chester Drum, co-founder of ICC AOKpass, said: “The world needs a standardised technical infrastructure to protect health information while allowing passengers to demonstrate fitness to travel.”
Bill Dolny, CEO of MedAire, said, “Providing travellers with a fast and secure way to store and authenticate their test results is a key element in the return to travel, and in regaining the trust of passengers.”