Singapore Airlines is to be the first airline to fully deploy IATA’s Travel Pass mobile application for digital health verification, starting with passengers travelling from Singapore to London from 15 to 28 March 2021.
Passengers with Apple phones can download the app and create a digital ID comprising their profile photo and passport information. They can also insert their flight information into the app.
Subsequently, they can book their pre-departure Covid-19 test at one of seven participating clinics in Singapore via a dedicated online portal. They can then register at the clinic using the digital ID and flight information in the app. They will be able to view their test results, as well as confirmation status to fly, directly on the app.
Participants will need to show their confirmed status in the app to the check-in staff in Changi Airport before flight departure although they will currently also need to bring a physical copy of their health certificate that is issued by the clinic where they took their Covid-19 test.
If successful, the pilot will pave the way for the integration of the entire digital health verification process into the SingaporeAir mobile app from around mid-2021, again using IATA’s Travel Pass framework.
Singapore ran a first phase trial of Travel Pass in December involving Covid test clinics in Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta, in which 200 successful certifications were recorded.
JoAnn Tan, Singapore Airlines’ acting senior vice president marketing planning, said: “The first phase of the trials helped to support SIA’s drive towards a secure and convenient industry standard for the verification of Covid-19 test results, and the health status of passengers including their vaccination status, in the future.
“That gives us the confidence that in the second phase, we can further streamline the verification process for eventual integration into SIA’s mobile application. This will help to provide a hassle-free digital solution for our customers in the new normal, and help to bring about a more seamless travel experience.”