Singapore Airlines to begin Iata Travel Pass trials on London flights

The carrier will trial the digital health app on flights from 15-28 March using Apple’s iOS operating system.

Passengers will download the Iata Travel Pass and create a digital ID using their passport photo and information. Flight information can also be inserted into the app.

Passengers then pre-book a Covid-19 test at one of seven clinics in Singapore, with results and confirmation status sent directly to the app. Check-in staff at Changi will then review the information, but local regulations mean a printed version of the Covid test result must still be presented.

The airline said data would be stored only in mobile phones and not on a central database.

“If successful, the pilot will pave the way for the integration of the entire digital health verification process into the SingaporeAir mobile app from around mid-2021, again using Iata’s Travel Pass framework,” the carrier said.

The first tests of the app took place in December.

JoAnn Tan, Singapore Airlines’ acting senior vice-president, marketing planning, said: “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.”