Singapore Airlines to test IATA Travel Pass mobile app

Flag carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) is set to pilot the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Travel Pass mobile application for digital health verification.

Starting 15 to 28 March, the check-in staff in Changi Airport will see participating travellers’ confirmed status in the app prior to their departure to London.

The pilot is the second phase of its digital health verification process trials and will make SIA the world’s first airline to do so.

Passengers using Apple’s iOS devices will be required to upload their profile photo and passport information to create a digital ID. They can also update flight information in the app.

Meanwhile, travellers will continue to show a physical copy of their health certificate issued by the clinic where they took their Covid-19 test as part of the existing regulatory requirements.

SIA marketing planning acting senior vice-president JoAnn Tan 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.”

The carrier aims to integrate the entire digital health verification process into the SingaporeAir mobile app. It depends on the outcome of the trial.

In January, Emirates partnered with IATA to become one of the first airlines in the world to trial the IATA Travel Pass.