HCMC – Vietnam Airlines will join hands with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to introduce the IATA Travel Pass app, a Covid-19 vaccine passport program, next month.
The national flag airline is the first carrier in Vietnam to pilot using Covid-19 vaccine passports as mandatory proof of vaccination, the local media reported.
Passengers will be chosen to download the app on their smartphones, create their personal profile on the app by integrating their information from their identity cards or passports, and fill in their flight information to learn about the requirements at destinations.
Before departure, passengers must undergo Covid-19 tests or get the vaccines at facilities that have registered with IATA and then share the results with the airlines.
The app will help airlines and competent agencies to check the eligibility of vaccination certificates and easily identify passengers. All the information will be kept confidential and shared only with the prior consent of passengers.
Vietnam Airlines General Director Le Hong Ha said the piloting of the IATA Travel Pass was a step forward. The governments of countries should accept Covid-19 vaccine passports such as the IATA Travel Pass to help the recovery of international passenger transport. More importantly, it will help revive passengers’ confidence and ensure safe tourism.
To date, Singapore, Panama and Estonia have officially allowed passengers with the IATA Travel Pass to enter their countries. In addition, more than 30 air carriers have announced piloting the app, including Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways.
The Covid-19 vaccine passport is one of the solutions expected to help Vietnam open its market and support the recovery of the tourism and aviation sectors.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has urged the Ministry of Transport to propose to the competent agencies to employ the solution.
