Qantas Group to implement digital health pass to re-boot global travel
Qantas Group Chief Customer Officer, Stephanie Tully, said the decision to proceed with IATA follows trials of several digital solutions on Qantas’ international repatriation flights in recent months.
“We want to get our international flights back in the air and our people back to work and a digital health pass will be a key part of that,” she said.
The IATA Travel Pass offers a convenient and secure method for customers to verify COVID test results and vaccination information with border or health officials and airline staff.
The app connects customers to certified testing labs so that results can be uploaded to the platform and customers can show they have a vaccine certificate and/or proof of a negative COVID test result before their flight.
“Many Governments are already requiring proof of vaccine or a negative COVID test result for international travel. Even if it wasn’t a government requirement, Qantas has always been a leader in safety and we have a responsibility to our customers and crew,” Tully said.
“A digital health pass will connect customers with COVID testing facilities, health authorities and airlines, and ultimately enable the opening of more travel bubbles and borders.
“The IATA Travel Pass will allow travellers to have their COVID test results and vaccine information verified securely, which will be their green light to fly internationally with us.
“We’re working closely with IATA to develop their Travel Pass to make the process as seamless as possible for Qantas and Jetstar customers as international borders start to re-open,” she said.
Tully said final development work is now underway to ensure the app is ready for use on Qantas and Jetstar international flights when they resume.
The announcement follows the Federal Government’s release of its four-phase national COVID-19 response plan earlier this month, which includes validating the vaccination status of Australians returning from overseas.
Many countries where Qantas and Jetstar operate to, including the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States, have announced requirements of either a proof of vaccine or negative COVID test result to enter without quarantine.