Vaccinations might be required for flights in the future

Speaking to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), IATA Director General Alexandre de Juniac explained: “We will not be able to eliminate the risk of Covid-19 in any foreseeable timeline. So, we must learn to manage the risk of Covid-19 so that we can safely resume more normal lives and activities – including travel.

“For travel and tourism, testing is the immediate solution to re-open borders. And, eventually, that will transition to vaccine requirements. For both, we need a globally accepted means to verify that people have accurate tests or genuine vaccines.”

IATA travel pass to be trialled by Emirates

Airline Qantas has already indicated that a proof of vaccination is likely to be required to enter Australia and De Juniac’s comments came as airline Emirates began a trial of IATA’s Travel Pass from April.

Emirates said it would use the app to allow passengers travelling from Dubai to share their Covid-19 test status directly with the airline before reaching the airport. The details will be automatically populated into the airline’s check-in system. Travel Pass is one of a number of competing digital health passport systems, including CommonPass, AOKPass and V-Health Passport.

New protocols and travel requirements

Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ CEO, commented: “While international travel remains as safe as ever, there are new protocols and travel requirements with the current global pandemic. We have worked with IATA on this innovative solution to simplify and digitally transmit the information that is required by countries and governments into our airline systems, in a secure and efficient manner.”

The airline yesterday started vaccinating its entire frontline workforce, it said in a tweet, making it one of the first airlines in the world to do so.