[Blockchain Today reporter Seo-yeon Jang] A blockchain-based digital passport containing information about travelers’ COVID-19 tests and vaccine status will be operated on a pilot basis starting next month.
The International Civil Aviation Transportation Association (IATA) will pilot a blockchain-based passport. The new passport will contain personal information including COVID-19 test results and vaccination results.
IATA predicted that overseas travel may resume in the future, and global quarantine measures may be eased. The newly operated’health’ passport is stored in the form of an app on the user’s smartphone. It is scheduled to be operated on a trial basis as early as February.
The e-passport, also known as the IATA Travel Pass, is significant in that it allows travelers to manage their own data. The app is also expected to act as a two-way means of communication, with traveler information being transmitted to government agencies as well as vaccine centers and airlines.
So far, four major airlines around the world have participated in the program. Singapore Airlines and British Airways are expected to participate in the test from February, and Etihad and Emirates are expected to participate in April.
Alan Murray Hayden, head of IATA’s passport, passenger and security products division, highly praised the powerful blockchain technology, adding that the benefits will be evident when the blockchain technology is implemented.
“The great advantage is that passengers can manage their own data. There is no problem of hacking because there is no central database. The data is held by the passenger and can be shared with the airline. It is probably the first case implemented to benefit people.”
The four key elements of the Travel Pass are a digital passport module, a Lab app that securely transfers data to test labs and apps, the registry of global vaccine centers, and the latest health requirements registry for international travelers. Hayden said that if the passengers’ health and vaccination conditions meet international requirements, they can travel abroad.
“Digital passports, test results, and the three things we call’okay to travel’ are important,” Hayden said. Passengers can decide what data to share in the airline app. When you click on the app, the data is immediately sent to the airline, with a few clicks of a button, and the airline gets the passenger’s details. We believe passengers will fully agree with this pilot program.”
The passport will be applied for the first time in the first quarter of 2021 to passengers departing from Abu Dhabi by Etihad Airways.
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