thevaccinereaction--2020-11-30--Airline Industry Develops “Travel Pass” to Test, Require COVID-19 Vaccinations to Fly

On Nov. 23 , 2020 , the International Air Transport Association ( IATA ) announced that it is in the final development phase of creating a “ digital passport ” known as The IATA Travel Pass mobile application that will display SARS-CoV-2 test results and proof of COVID-19 vaccination , as well as listing national entry rules and details of the nearest testing laboratories in different countries.1 IATA ’ s announcement came a few days after three COVID-19 vaccine candidates developed by Pfizer/BioNTech , Moderna , and AstraZeneca/Oxford University claimed high 90-95 percent vaccine efficacy rates.2 What is the IATA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will manage and verify the flow of COVID-19 testing and vaccine information among governments , airlines , laboratories and travelers .
IATA ’ s Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac said : Today borders are double locked .
Testing is the first key to enable international travel without quarantine measures .
The second key is the global information infrastructure needed to securely manage , share , and verify test data matched with traveler identities in compliance with border control requirements .
That ’ s the job of IATA Travel Pass .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming months to also meet the needs of the various travel bubbles and public health corridors that are starting operation.3 According to IATA ’ s website , the mobile application will enable passengers to : • receive test and vaccination certificates and verify that they are sufficient for their travel itinerary • share testing or vaccination certificates with airlines and authorities to facilitate travel.4 According to Nick Careen , IATA ’ s senior vice president of airport , passenger , cargo and security , the airline industry seeks to recover economically from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 digital passport would encourage people to travel again.5 While the vaccine delivery logistics are being worked on , Careen said , “ In the immediate term , that means giving governments confidence that systematic COVID-19 testing can work as a replacement for quarantine requirements.
” He adds that , “ And that will eventually develop into a vaccine program.
” 6 The first cross-border IATA Travel Pass pilot is scheduled for later this year and the launch is scheduled for the first quarter in 2021.7 IATA has been advocating for the use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tool for replacing quarantines implemented by many countries .
According to the head of policy analysis at IATA , James Wiltshire , “ It ’ s really important governments don ’ t wait for vaccines and don ’ t take their foot off the pedal .
We know there are governments thinking about doing testing regimes to replace quarantines and we do encourage them to do those plans.
” 8 Wiltshire said that IATA believes that governments should not wait for a vaccine to become available before re-opening their borders because it may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vaccine becomes available to the entire population.9 Australian airline Qantas is making plans to require passengers to get a COVID-19 vaccine prior to traveling internationally .
Other airlines could also implement similar policies.10 Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said in reference to the COVID-19 vaccine , “ Whether you ’ ll need that domestically , we ’ ll have to see what happens with COVID-19 and the market , but certainly for international visitors coming out and people leaving the country , we think that ’ s a necessity.
” He added , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleagues in other airlines around the globe and I think it ’ s going to be a common theme across the board.
” 11 Airlines for America , a trade group representing major North American airlines stated it is “ committed to restoring service in a manner that prioritizes safety and wellbeing of our passengers and employees , ” but did not comment on a potential vaccine requirement.12