IATA: The Digital Travel Permit application launches in mid-April
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said today, Wednesday, that a digital travel authorization for the results of COVID-19 tests and vaccination certificates will be launched on Apple's platform in mid-April.
The digital travel permit, which is currently in a testing phase, was scheduled to be launched by the end of March.
The regional vice president of IATA in Africa and the Middle East, Kamel Al-Awadi, said that the application is expected to launch on the Apple platform around April 15, and then at a later time on the Android platform.
"But the application will only achieve its success when it is used by airlines, various countries, and airports," Al-Awadi said.
Britain-based Virgin Atlantic Airways said on Friday it would test the IATA application on the London to Barbados route starting April 16.
Barbados said it would accept the permit at its borders, becoming one of the first countries to accept a digital permit instead of paper documents.
Iata says the travel permit will help speed up check-in processes.
"A large number of airlines have requested to join (to use the application)," Al-Awadi said.
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