The International Air Transport Association, (IATA) has estimated that the Airline industry could lose almost $95 billion in 2021.  IATA  the Trade Body which comprises of almost 300 member airlines worldwide records the year as the worst ever.

Several Airlines are supporting a number of tech solutions and have started trials to verify passengers’ Covid vaccination and testing results  IATA Travel Pass app, CommonPass, developed by a Swiss nonprofit and the World Economic Forum and  the AOKpass from French travel-security company –  International SOS. 

Virgin Atlantic is set to use coronavirus vaccine passports as a trial on some flights like those to Barbados from April 16.  Passengers will use the IATA Travel Pass to verify that they meet the Caribbean island’s entry requirements for pre-departure coronavirus testing.  

From next week, passengers flying with Virgin Atlantic to the US will be able to upload their test documents to a website operated by US firm TrustAssure, where they will be checked using automated artificial intelligence (AI) technology within two minutes. Once verification is completed, travelers will be sent a QR code enabling them to pass through the airport check-in process. Other airlines  who have also began trials on this app, include Qatar Airways,British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Qantas 

TUI AG, the world’s biggest tour operator, says vaccine passports will be key to resuscitating its business. Cruise liners like Carnival & PNO have made it mandatory that one can only board its ships this summer with proof of vaccination.

United Airlines already has its in-house platform – Travel Ready which will require Passengers to upload Vaccination certificates before travel to some destinations starting as early as April. American Airlines Group Inc. has signed on with the VeriFly app being rolled out by biometric software company Daon.

Uk’s announcement of resuming travel mid-May has seen gigantic surge in reservations to Greece, Spain, and Turkey and EasyJet Plc says ticket sales have quadrupled.

Qatar Airways has announced its three times a week flights from14 May connecting Mykonos to its network in Asia and the Middle East.

Airlines, which could lose billions of dollars this year again because of Covid travel disruptions, are eager for vaccine passports and Sports Organizers, Concert promoters and Cruise liners. Celebrity Cruises has announced its brand-new Celebrity Apex, in the Edge Series, will make its world debut in Greece this summer in June.

Also Read: Is it safe to travel after I’ve received the COVID-19 vaccine?