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Summary
- British Airways will launch a digital health passport to make international travel hassle free.
- BA’s head has urged the UK government to lead the resumption of international air travel by developing systems which facilitates safer travel. Ryanair, Qatar airways to follow the suit.
UK’s flag carrier airline British Airways is expected to launch digital global vaccine passport for facilitating international travel slated to resume in May 2021. By putting their vaccination details of the completed two Covid-19 jabs, air passengers would have to testify that they are safe to fly on the app of the airline through their smartphone.
The aviation sector has been among the worst hit sectors due to pandemic led lockdowns. With the governments accelerating mass vaccination programmes across the world, there might be a rebound on cards for the battered sector.
The attempt is to launch digital health passports will provide the travellers with confidence and entice them to fly with the airline. In addition, BA would resume giving complimentary water and snacks for the economy passengers on the short-haul flights.
Also read: 3 Travel Stocks That Surged After Portugal and Cyprus Reopen to UK Tourists
To reopen skies safely, British Airways called for digital health passes last month. BA’s new chief executive Sean Doyle aims to lead the world in pioneering the concept of vaccine passports by leveraging upon Britain’s successful inoculation campaign. BA’s chief urged the British government to lead the resumption of international air travel by developing systems which will enable people to travel overseas.
The British government is expected to announce the guidelines for resumption of non-essential travel in April 2021. British Airways chief said people who wish to travel but have not been vaccinated yet must have a negative test report before boarding the flight. Either by choice or other reasons, if not vaccinated, the traveller is supposed to record the result of Covid-19 test carried out less than 72 hours before departure on the British Airways mobile app.
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All those people who have received both the shots of the vaccine would be able to disclose their status on the BA's app. Technology could be a key medium in facilitating safe travel. Monitoring health status through mobile applications can make administration easy and faster.
In addition, the airline shall offer a DIY antigen test kit for £33 each to passengers that shall help them to test for Covid-19 before boarding a return flight to Britain. The airline is leaving no stone unturned to make air travel safer.
The good part is that people can plan their travel without getting bogged down by the taxing quarantine regimes and fear of the awful virus during their journey. Moreover, Britons could look forward to planning their holidays for the upcoming summer season after leading a confined life in the wake of the pandemic. From May 2021, UK’s neighbouring countries such as Greece, Portugal and Cyprus would not seek negative PCR test reports or quarantine travellers coming from UK.
The leading air carrier has sensed a huge pent-up demand for travel and has, therefore, implemented a robust plan to get back into the air safely after being tormented throughout the prolonged period of pandemic-led lockdowns.
With the onslaught of the pandemic, taking adequate safety precautions is a must for everyone and has already become a way of life for most of us. British Airways owner, International Consolidated Airlines Group (LON: IAG) shares traded at GBX 217.10 on 15 March 2021 at GMT 10:17 AM; and were up by 2.21 per cent from the previous day price close.
1-year Percentage returns of some FTSE listed UK carriers.
(Data Source: LSE) Copyright © 2021 Kalkine Media Pty Ltd.
Along similar lines, low-cost Irish airline Ryanair Holdings Plc (LON: RYA) has launched a new Covid-19 Travel Wallet. Covid documents such as PCR reports etc. can be uploaded by the travellers themselves through the airline’s mobile app which could be the requirement for travelling overseas. The idea behind the airline industry promoting health passports is to ensure safe, seamless travel. Shares of Ryanair traded at EUR 16.54 on 15 March at GMT 11:00 AM+1; were up by 1.29 per cent from the previous day price close.
In the middle east region, Qatar Airways has become the first airline to try International Air Transport Association (IATA) Travel Pass ‘Digital Passport’ mobile app with a vision to facilitate a contactless, safe, and seamless experience for its travellers. IATA’s mobile-based travel pass would enable a smooth sharing of PCR test results with airlines to confirm the fitness of travellers and passengers who shall receive up-to-date information on COVID-19 health regulations at their destination country. Similarly, Spain is ready to welcome Britons as its officials have confirmed that foreigners would be allowed to visit the country based on Covid passport.
Last month, airlines and travel companies, including Ryanair (LON: RYA), EasyJet (LON: EZJ), have reported a surge in holiday bookings after British PM Boris Johnson announced to uplift restrictions for the ailing sector. EasyJet witnessed sale of holidays outpaced the demand for flights.
Overall, the UK-based carriers have underpinned their hopes on the huge pent-up demand for travel to Spain and Greece along with accelerated vaccine programmes run by the government. The sector seems to be poised for a speedy recovery.
