The International Air Transport Association has said it welcomes the decision of Saudi Arabia to accept IATA Travel Pass to confirm the Covid-19 test results from September 30.
It said in a statement that the country’s General Authority of Civil Aviation or GACA had accepted the pass as a valid way of confirming Covid-19 test results for departing and arriving passengers.
Eventually this acceptance will be expanded to vaccine certification, said IATA in a statement.
Travelers to and from Saudi Arabia will therefore soon have the choice of using either the IATA Travel Pass or the country’s national health app Tawakkalna.
The IATA Travel Pass is a personal secure digital-wallet solution that apparently helps travelers understand travel requirements and present their verified travel health credentials — vaccine or test certificates — to meet Covid-19 entry restrictions.
IATA said in its statement that it and Saudi Arabia have been working comprehensively to restore international travel to and from the country.
Saudi Arabian Airlines, or Saudia, has been a trial partner in the development of the IATA Travel Pass.
Work is also said to be progressing with GACA and Tawakkalna for IATA Travel Pass to be a vehicle for pre-arrival clearance for Saudi Arabia.
The IATA Travel Pass is expected to simplify and enhance compliance with health requirements for travelers entering the country, and contribute to the safe restart of the travel and tourism industry, which is an important contributor to the Saudi Arabian economy.