With flight departure and arrival regulations constantly changing, passengers are presented with more hurdles to fly than ever before. To streamline the boarding procedures, Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) is trialling the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Travel Pass app from 8 to 28 November.
The IATA Travel Pass will be eligible for RB’s passengers flying from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne or London to Brunei. Passengers will be able to use the app as a digital passport to verify current travel mandates that include their Covid-19 test results and proof of vaccination.
According to Philip Goh, regional vice president for Asia Pacific, IATA, the association hopes to “demonstrate that digital health apps can securely, conveniently, and efficiently manage travel health credentials”.
“This is a positive step towards facilitating reopening of borders, connecting our guests to the rest of our network and reviving Brunei's tourism industry,” said Captain Sabirin Hj Abd Hamid, acting chief executive officer of RB.
Besides RB, more players in the industry are increasingly turning to digital means to ease travel processes, from booking of flights and hotels to securing Covid-19 test appointments. For instance, Trip.com, revealed that travellers who book on their platform are able to immediately schedule an appointment for their Covid-19 PCR pre-departure.
Another example is Smoove Xperience’s AI-powered digital companion mobile app that features functions for booking and paying for Covid-19 test appointments, viewing test results and showing proof of certifications to authorities.
While the rise of digital travel apps and platforms may ease the confusing web of travel regulations, industry players should monitor consumer trends, as the oversaturation of travel apps can potentially cause a new set of minor inconveniences.