The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched a self-registration portal to make it easier for COVID-19 testing labs to join the IATA Travel Pass Lab Network, which provides a list of eligible lab locations around the globe so that travellers can easily find a location for a COVID-19 test prior to travel. The newly launched portal provides a one-stop-shop for labs to self-register to be included in the Network.
“COVID-19 testing will be critical to a prolonged recovery to international travel for the foreseeable future,” says IATA Sr. VP Nick Careen. “One aim of IATA Travel Pass is to make it as easy as possible for travellers to find eligible labs that meet the specific requirements of their journeys. Already IATA Travel Pass has an extensive network of labs, which is rapidly expanding as more airlines use the Pass. The IATA Lab Network Self Registration Portal will make it easier for more labs to join so that we are ready to reliably meet the requirements of governments as and more people return to the skies.”
Labs wishing to join the Network must meet eligibility criteria and register through the new Self Registration Portal. Before they are included, IATA will validate the information and contact labs directly to finalize their registration. The Network is free for labs to join.
Once labs have joined, passengers will be able to use the lab for COVID-19 testing prior to travel and securely upload test results in IATA Travel Pass. This information is then checked against the IATA Timatic global registry of national health and entry requirements to produce an “OK to Travel” status.
The IATA Travel Pass is a mobile app that helps travellers to store and manage their verified certifications for COVID-19 tests or vaccinations. Over 70 airlines are either trialling or committed to testing IATA Travel Pass with trials spanning 151 routes across all continents of the world.
Montreal trial
One those trials is currently taking place on Air France’s Montreal-Paris route. Taking place outbound from Montreal-Trudeau to CDG through July 15 (it launched June 24), the pilot program is designed to test the IATA app by enabling travellers to:
• Check up on the latest COVID-19 related entry requirements for their country of destination
• Have the results of their COVID-19 test performed at partner laboratories sent directly into the app
• Securely store the documents in the app so they can demonstrate to airlines and authorities that they meet the relevant entry requirements, without having to divulge further information about their personal health.
The trial is free of charge for customers and offered on a voluntary basis. Testing is carried out at the Biron Health Group’s onsite facilities at the Montreal-Trudeau International Airport and eligible passengers receive a notification a few days before departing for Paris.
The testing is possible on the day of departure for travellers ages 11 and up who have not been vaccinated or have only received their first dose, as they are required to present proof of a negative PCR or antigen test result issued within 72 hours of their departure to enter France.
Travellers must down the IATA Travel Pass app available on the Apple Store and Google Play and activate it using the code transmitted by Air France.
“So we may improve our customers’ experience, our team is delighted to be trialing this digital solution that enables passengers to safely store their COVID test results, and thus streamline their time at the airport,” says Air France KLM Canada VP and GM Catherine Guillemart-Dias.