Air Canada is launching a simplified digital solution for passengers to securely scan, upload and verify their COVID-19 test results through its mobile app. Initially trialling this feature on flights to Frankfurt, the airline plans to roll-out the solution across its network later this summer pending results of the trial and introduce new capabilities so that customers can also pre-validate proofs of vaccination.
This new digital solution will help travellers conveniently validate compliance with government health travel requirements prior to arriving at the airport. The flag carrier of Canada has developed this in partnership with Amadeus, one of the world’s leading travel technology companies.
The carrier will initially start trials of this feature on flights to Frankfurt from Toronto and Montreal starting 29th June 2021.
Mark Nasr, Senior Vice President, Products, Marketing and eCommerce, Air Canada, said:
As travel resumes around the world, we’re proud to do our part to support government health protocols that protect passengers and safeguard local communities. Once fully rolled out, this new function from Amadeus will make it easy for customers to securely submit their COVID-19 test results and records of vaccination for review ahead of their flights. Pre-validation of those documents will streamline the airport experience, one of many ways Air Canada is focused on elevating the customer journey with touchless travel services. This new service complements our Covid Information Hub featuring detailed information on travel requirements and testing at aircanada.com/covid19.
Stay up to date: Sign up for my newsletter to never miss latest Aviation and Travel news.
This new mobile solution will accept RT-PCR test results from Centogene Labs in Germany for trials on flights to Frankfurt that will begin on 29th June 2021. The airline notes that the use of this new function by passengers is optional.
For passengers trialling this, there is no requirement to download an application, as a link to submit documents will appear on the Air Canada mobile app or mobile website during check-in.
Steps to use the new feature are:
- Within 24 hours of departure, passengers checking-in on mobile can securely submit their test results by scanning a QR code of the Centogene lab test result.
- Passengers will then receive a message verifying the test that will enable them to pass through the airport and board their flight without any further requirement to demonstrate the validity of their health documents.
The airline notes that passengers must bring and retain their original documents for the duration of their journey.
This new digital solution is based on Amadeus Traveler ID, which automates document verification for travelers in order to minimise queues. Capabilities to manage test results from other labs and also vaccination records will be introduced. In order to assist travellers even more, the new solution also provides information about the government health entry requirements of the destination country. It is designed to be compatible with other health passport applications currently under development around the world.
Meanwhile, Air Canada has announced that it will fly to 50 Canadian airports this summer. The airline recently inaugurated flights between Montreal and Cairo. Air Canada is also offering ‘COVID-tested flights to Italy’.
Featured image by JetPhotos
What do you think of Air Canada’s new digital and simplified solution to upload COVID-19 related travel documents? Let me know in the comments section below.
Follow IH Aviation and Travel on Social Media on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.