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National

International airline body ‘in talks with Government on vaccination app’

By: PA News

Published: 07:21, 10 February 2021

Updated: 18:12, 10 February 2021

The International Air Transport Association is in talks with the Government about a coronavirus vaccination app for travellers (Yui Mok/PA)

The International Air Transport Association (Iata) is in talks with the Government about a coronavirus vaccination app for travellers, according to its chief executive.

The trade body is working with carriers on the TravelPass app, which will give people flying abroad the ability to share their coronavirus test and vaccination results.

Alexandre de Juniac told the BBC’s Newscast podcast that the app could be rolled out from April, and discussions with the UK Government have been “very fruitful”.

“We should not anticipate, but the UK authorities are among those with whom we have the closest link on this element,” he said.

Mr de Juniac confirmed reports that the app is being trialled by IAG, the parent company of British Airways, as the aviation industry looks to ways of restarting international travel.

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Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Boris Johnson said the Government is considering “all kinds of apps” for when the vaccination programme is fully rolled out.

Asked about talks with Iata, the Prime Minister said: “On the travel app, we’re looking at all sorts of things that we may wish to do in the months ahead.”

He said he wants everyone to get vaccinated to “get back to normality”, adding: “But when we’re in that different world, which I hope will be as soon as possible, then all kinds of apps and all kinds of possibilities will be open to us.”

Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he has been in discussions with his counterparts in Singapore and the United States about the possibility of an international certification system.

“I imagine that in the future there will be an international system where countries will want to know that you have been potentially vaccinated or potentially had tests taken before flying,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

“I was speaking to my Singaporean counterpart, I was speaking to my US counterpart this week, and we’ll have discussions about those things to have an internationally recognised system.

“I think the confusion comes in when people talk about domestic passports, which I think is not on the cards.”

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Last week, Downing Street said the Government has no “current plans” for coronavirus immunity passports amid reports that British officials have started work on a certification programme.

A No 10 spokesman said: “There are still no current plans to roll out vaccine passports. Going on holiday is currently illegal.”

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