It also verifies they were administered by an approved authority.

The industry body sees the pass as essential for reopening air travel, as many countries still have strict restrictions or quarantines in place.

“The key issue is one of confidence,” Vinoop Goel, IATA regional director of airports and external relations, said.

“Passengers need to be confident that the testing they have taken is accurate and will allow them to enter the country.

“Then governments need to have confidence that the tests that the passengers claim to have are accurate and meet their own conditions.”

Travel Pass on iOS and Android platforms

IATA said the Travel Pass – which it is preparing alongside Etihad and a number of other carriers, is designed in a modular way so that it can work with other digital solutions that are being trialed around the world.

British Airways, for example, is working on a separate, but compatible, VeriFLY solution.

IATA said the Travel Pass will be available on iOS and Android platforms and is expected to be free to passengers.

“We are building the IATA Travel Pass with one aim – to help reconnect our world safely.

“IATA has brought advancements in global standards like e-ticketing and mobile boarding passes to consumers in all parts of the world.

“This unique capability demonstrates that we can work with industry and governments to re-shape travel processes based on global standards,” said Nick Careen, IATA senior vice president, airport, passenger, cargo and security.

Air New Zealand trials global digital travel pass

The airline will trial the digital Travel Pass app developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on its Auckland-Sydney route in April.

Air New Zealand Chief Digital Officer Jennifer Sepull says the goal is to enable customers to seamlessly manage their digital travel documentation throughout their travel experience.

“Once borders reopen, travel is going to look very different, with customers’ health data needing to be verified at check-in. It’s essentially like having a digital health certificate that can be easily and securely shared with airlines. This will give customers peace of mind that they meet all travel requirements for the different countries around the world before they even get to the airport.

“Reassuring customers that travel is in fact safe is one of our priorities. By using the app, customers can have confidence that everyone onboard meets the same government health requirements they do.