Qatar Airways is the first airline to begin trialling Covid-19 vaccine authentication through the IATA Travel Pass mobile app, as the airline seeks to provide a more contactless, secure and seamless travel experience for its passengers.

The trial will be rolled out in phases from July, beginning initially with cabin crew returning to Doha travelling from Kuwait, London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris and Sydney.

Qatar Airways becomes the first airline to integrate vaccination certificates into IATA’s digital passport app

Cabin crew will be able to upload their Qatar-issued Covid-19 vaccination credentials along with their Covid-19 test results to the IATA Travel Pass mobile app and verify they are eligible to travel. On arrival in Doha, the crew will then be able to safely and securely share their vaccination certificate and proceed through immigration at the airport.

Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker said: “We know as more people begin making plans to return to their favourite holiday destinations, they will inevitably face the challenge of ensuring they have the right paperwork.

“Through trialling and supporting the development of new technologies, we aim to provide travellers with a tool that will support them to seamlessly travel across borders with greater confidence.”

Willie Walsh, IATA’s director-general, said: “Certificates of Covid-19 vaccination or testing status will be key to restoring people’s freedom to travel. Trials by Qatar Airways and some 70 other airlines have demonstrated that IATA Travel Pass can efficiently manage test results.

“This important new trial focusing on vaccination status will build even more confidence in IATA Travel Pass as a complete solution for travellers, governments and airlines.”