Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has started a trial of the IATA Travel Pass app to handle passengers' travel health certificates between Abu Dhabi and Chicago, New York, Washington, and Toronto till May 31.

According to Mohammad Al Bulooki, Chief Operating Officer of Etihad Aviation Group, "Etihad claims that a digital health passport solution would offer greater transparency and convenience for passengers in light of the constantly evolving health criteria for travel. Etihad has collaborated with IATA to provide a globally integrated approach to a travel pass that will make travel easier until policymakers determine what laws are needed to cross the borders in any region."

To take part in the experiment, guests must first download the IATA Travel Pass app from the Apple App Store and then schedule an appointment with Life Diagnostics on Sultan Bin Zayed the First Street or BioGenix Labs in Masdar City. Guests should notify registration that they are taking part in the IATA Travel Pass trial and should be prepared to display their passport and mobile device with the IATA Travel Pass app installed. When test results are available, passengers will be able to access them through the IATA Travel Pass app and the research clinic's digital portal.

"Etihad Airways' trial of the IATA Travel Pass would help governments and travelers gain hope that digital health apps will help restart aviation in a clean, stable, and convenient manner. The app provides travelers with a one-stop-shop to support them adhere with the latest travel regulations, while providing governments with full confidence in the identification of the passenger and the validity of the travel certificates submitted "IATA Senior Vice President for Airport, Passenger, Cargo, and Security Nick Careen said.

The IATA Travel Pass would enable Etihad guests to establish a "digital passport" to gather COVID-19 test results and confirm their permission to travel. Crucially, the IATA Travel Pass would keep travelers in control of their information and make it easier to share it with airlines and travel officials. This would make handling travel documents easier for travelers during their journey.

Guests who engage in the IATA Travel Pass pilot can get preferential PCR test queue status at Life Diagnostics and Biogenix Labs, smoother airport check-in, and a free 90MB Wi-Fi voucher to use in-flight. Guests don’t want to engage in the experiment will keep sharing PCR test findings with Etihad by showing a written copy of their reports at check-in.