By Grace Kuria
Ethiopian Airlines Group has become the first African airline to conduct trial of IATA Travel Pass, a digital travel mobile app to enhance efficiency in testing or vaccine verifications.
The trial will be conducted on flights out of Addis Ababa to Washington DC and Toronto as well as on flights out of London and Toronto to Addis Ababa, effective today, 25 April 2021.
Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Tewolde GebreMariam said “Digital technology is vital to solve many of the problems that arise from the pandemic. We are glad that we are offering new digital opportunities to our passengers so as to fully and safely restart air travel.”
Tewolde also said customers will enjoy efficient, contactless and safer travel experience with their travel pass digital passport.
“As a safety first airline, we have become the first African airline to trail IATA’s travel pass initiative to facilitate travel. The new initiative will increase travelers’ confidence in travel, encourages governments to reopen their borders and expedites industry restart.’’ He added.
The IATA Travel Pass initiative helps verify the authenticity of the COVID-19 test information presented by travelers which is essential for ensuring the safety of passengers while complying with entry requirements of countries.
