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In world first, SIA trials digital verification of Covid-19 test results, vaccination information on some flights

SINGAPORE — From Wednesday (Dec 23), passengers on Singapore Airlines (SIA) flights from Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur to Singapore can securely store and present information on their Covid-19 tests as part of a digital health verification process that the airline is testing. In future, this would include information on their vaccination status as well.

As part of a trial, passengers on board SIA’s flights to Singapore must take their Covid-19 tests at selected clinics in Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur where they will be issued either a digital or paper health certificate with a QR code.

As part of a trial, passengers on board SIA’s flights to Singapore must take their Covid-19 tests at selected clinics in Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur where they will be issued either a digital or paper health certificate with a QR code.

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SINGAPORE — From Wednesday (Dec 23), passengers on Singapore Airlines (SIA) flights from Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur to Singapore can securely store and present information on their Covid-19 tests as part of a digital health verification process that the airline is testing. In future, this would include information on their vaccination status as well.

The system is the first in the world to be based on the Travel Pass framework by the International Air Transport Association (Iata), SIA said in a media release on Tuesday.

The framework informs passengers on what tests, vaccines and other measures they will require before they travel. It also offers details on where they can get tested and allows them to share their tests or vaccination results with the authorities.

The digital health certificate process could be expanded to other cities in the SIA network if it proves successful.

HOW IT WORKS

As part of the trial, passengers on board SIA’s flights to Singapore must take their Covid-19 tests at selected clinics in Jakarta, Indonesia and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — where they will be issued either a digital or paper health certificate with a QR code.

Airport check-in personnel and Singapore’s immigration authority will verify the authenticity of these certificates via a mobile application to make sure that the passengers meet Singapore’s entry requirements.

Right now, SIA passengers present a paper version of their health certificate for verification by check-in and immigration personnel. The staff members then manually check the authenticity of the certificate and verify that the Covid-19 test has been taken at an accredited testing facility within the stipulated time frame as per the requirements of individual countries.

With the new digital process, check-in and immigration personnel can automatically verify the same information by scanning the QR code of the health certificate, saving time for both travellers and staff members, an SIA spokesperson said in response to queries by TODAY.

In addition, passengers will find it easier to control their information and have a more seamless travel experience with digital technology, the airline said.

An Iata registry will provide information on individual countries’ Covid-19 testing and entry requirements.

SIA plans to integrate the entire process into its SingaporeAir app from the middle of next year. The app already allows customers of the national carrier to book and check in for flights, among other things.

Mr Nick Careen, Iata’s senior vice-president of airport, passenger, cargo and security, called its partnership with SIA a “big step forward” for air travel.

“Together, we will demonstrate that people can return to travel with confidence that they are meeting all government Covid-19 entry requirements… And the experience gained through collaboration helps prepare for the eventual global deployment of the Iata Travel Pass,” Mr Careen said.

Ms JoAnn Tan, SIA’s acting senior vice-president of marketing planning, said that using Iata’s Travel Pass framework will also assure SIA customers and governments about the security and authenticity of the Covid-19 test and vaccination information.

Related topics

SIA Covid-19 IATA coronavirus digital immigration

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