Finnair yesterday announced that it will begin accepting COVID-19 vaccination certificate to allow passengers to fly. Currently, several airlines require vaccinated passengers to present a negative COVID-19 test result.
Finnair to begin accepting COVID-19 vaccination certificates
Starting 11th May 2021, Finnish Flag carrier Finnair will start accepting a COVID-19 vaccination certificate from the first vaccination dose as an alternative to a negative test result or a certificate of a previous COVID-19 infection, on Finnair flights to Finland. By taking action, Finnair is one of the first airlines to do so.
Since late January, in line with the recommendation by the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare, the airline has required that all passengers travelling to Finland – excluding transfer passengers – present either a negative test certificate or an immunity/recovery certificate as a prerequisite for boarding.
However, as of 11th May 2021, there is no requirement for children under the age of 16 to present a health certificate, but Finnair recommends children between 12 and 15 years of age arrive with proof of a negative test result. According to the airline, this will speed up the arrival procedure at Helsinki Airport, where passengers with a negative test result are exempt from testing on arrival.
Kimmo Ketola, Medical Director, Finnair, said:
Vaccines have proven their power in fighting the pandemic, and vaccination certificates will play a key role in the upcoming EU Digital Green Certificate to ensure the health and safety of travellers. The likelihood of a vaccinated person being infected and transmitting COVID-19 is very small.
What are the requirements?
The flag carrier of Finland will accept vaccination certificates for all COVID-19 vaccines approved by the World Health Organisation or the European Medical Agency. According to the airline, the 1st vaccine dose should be administered at least 21 days before the travel date. On the certificate, customer’s name, date of birth, the name of the vaccine producer, the time and place at which the vaccine was administered and the issuer of the certificate should be there.
The airline further adds that as an alternative to the vaccination certificate, passengers can present proof of a negative COVID-19 test result or a certificate of a previous COVID-19 infection.
The airline also advises that many countries will have their own requirements for pre-departure testing or vaccination certificates, so passengers should refer to their local authority’s website prior to departure. This will ensure smooth entry. For example, Finnair could not accept vaccination certificates for flights bound for the United Kingdom as a negative COVID-19 test certificate is mandatory.
Featured image by Aviation Today
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