British Airways is launching its own digital vaccine passport in time for the return of International travel on 17th May, 2021. Under their plans British Airways will have a smartphone app where people who have had both of their jabs will be able to register their vaccination details to prove that they are safe to fly. They will be trialling the Verify vaccine passport system and will introduce it when the ban of International travel lifts in May 2021. British Airways has also got a deal with a testing kit provider giving its passengers £33 tests to take abroad with them. In another incentive for passengers to fly with British Airways they have already reintroduced free water and snacks on short-haul economy flights and this policy will continue. Sean Doyle, the carrier’s Chief Executive has called on the UK Government to show “leadership” in laying out its plans for the restart of travel. The UK Government taskforce is due to report on how the Government can do so in a safe and controlled manner on 12th April, 2021. Sean Doyle has said: “Those who had been vaccinated will be able to fly with a vaccine passport, anyone else who hasn’t had the vaccine and could show a negative Covid-19 test should also be able to fly.” He also said: “Its fair to say that Britain has developed a really strong leadership position in coming out the other end of the Pandemic, what we want is to make sure is that we also take that leadership position into restoring travel and restarting the economy.”
Ryanair has already launched a vaccine passport called “travel wallet” where its passengers will upload their documents showing that they have had a vaccine or a negative test result for Covid-19. Ryanair’s Director of Marketing, Dara Brady said: “We are very please to launch this Ryanair C-19 Travel Wallet as we prepare for the return of family holidays in Summer 2021.” “Many Ryanair customers will be taking their first holidays in over a year, adhering to new travel guidelines and this C-19 Travel Wallet will allow customers to store all of their Covid-19 documents, such as PCR test results, passenger locator forms and vaccine certificates in one location with zero fuss or paperwork to worry about.”
The French Authorities have also confirmed they will be taking part in a month trial of a vaccine passport scheme for Air France passengers, passengers that will be travelling to the French Caribbean territories of Martinique and Guadeloupe will be able to use the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) AOKpass app to prove either a Covid-19 vaccination certificate or a negative test result. The French Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari said: “The goal is to see if it works in real time, it could offer a preview or at least a large-scale test of a future travel pass that would ensure against fraud and shorten waiting times.” He also said: “It will not affect travellers from the EU, nor will it change any of the entry measures for arrivals from the countries, including the ban on non-essential entry.” Anyone travelling from within the EU and Schengen into France will still need to provide a negative Covid-19 result.
Singapore Airlines will also be the very first to trial a app called Travel Pass app that was developed by IATA any passenger flying from London to Singapore from 15th-28th March, 2021 will need to show through the Travel Pass app there negative Covid-19 test result.
Other Airlines including Qatar Airways, Air Serbia and Rwandair are also trialling the IATA’s version of a vaccine passport.
China has also unveiled its vaccine passport through the App called “WeChat”, which almost all of China Citizens have but very few people use abroad. The App would allow people both in China and overseas to verify the certificate by scanning a QR code to prove that you have had the vaccine.
Spain has also announced that is is looking to create a vaccination passport for all travellers coming into the country from the United Kingdom’s territory. If Spain and the UK fail to reach a joint agreement with the vaccination passport it will create a “green corridor” for all Britons who have taken the vaccine.
Israel launched a digital domestic vaccine certificate through its “green pass” app which shows whether citizens have either been vaccinated or presumed immunity after contracting the virus.
