Ethiopian Becomes the First African Airline to Trial IATA Travel Pass
Addis Ababa,Ethiopian Airlines Group, Africa’s leading airline, has become the first African airline to conduct trial of IATA Travel Pass, a digital travel mobile app to enhance efficiency intesting or vaccine verifications.
As travel restarts, travelers need accurate COVID-19-related information like testing and
vaccine requirements which vary among countries. The IATA Travel Pass initiative helps
verify the authenticity of test information presented by travelers which is essential for
ensuring the safety of passengers while complying with entry requirements of countries.
The trial will be conducted on flights out of Addis Ababa to Washington DC and Toronto
as well as on flights out of London and Toronto to Addis Ababa, effective 25 April 2021.
Ethiopian has gone digital in all of its operations to avoid physical contact and combat
the spread of the pandemic and now, embarks on this initiative which will allow
passengers to relish unparalleled flight experience.
Regarding the trial of the IATA travel pass, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO of
Ethiopian Airlines said “Digital technology is vital to solve many of the problems that arise from the pandemic. We are glad that we are offering new digital opportunities to our passengers so as to fully and safely restart air travel.
Our customers will enjoy efficient, contactless and safer travel experience with their travel pass digital passport. As a safety first airline, we have become the first African airline to trail IATA’s travel pass initiative to facilitate travel. The new initiative will increase travelers’ confidence in travel, encourages governments to reopen their borders and expedites industry restart.’’
Nick Careen, IATA Senior Vice President for Airport, Passenger, Cargo and Security said,
“Ethiopian Airlines is once again showing its leadership position in Africa becoming the first carrier to implement a live trial of IATA Travel Pass.
The trial will help build confidence among governments and travelers that digital health apps can safely, securely and conveniently help restart aviation. The app gives travelers a one-stop-shop to help them comply with the new rules for travel.
And for governments complete assurance in the identity of the passenger and the authenticity of the travel credentials being presented. We urge Governments in Africa to accelerate the acceptance of digital health credentials for travel across the
continent.”
The Travel Pass will help create a digital passport, receive test and vaccination certificates
and verify that they are sufficient for their route, and share testing or vaccination certificates with airlines and authorities to facilitate travel.
The digital travel app will alsoavoid fraudulent documentation and make air travel more convenient.
Ethiopian Airlines
