MONTREAL — Air Canada has announced a new digital solution that will allow customers to securely scan, upload and verify their COVID-19 test results.
Available via its mobile app, the feature is currently in a trial phase with the support of Amadeus, a leading travel technology company. It will initially be available starting June 29 for flights from Frankfurt to Toronto and Montreal, and then roll out across the airline’s network later this summer, pending results of the trial, with new capabilities so that customers can also pre-validate proofs of vaccination.
Beginning June 29 for the Frankfurt departure trial, the new solution will accept COVID-19 PCR test results from Centogene Labs in Germany. Capabilities to manage test results from other labs and also vaccination records will be introduced.
The use of the new function by customers is optional. For users:
- There is no requirement to download an application, as a link to submit documents will appear on the Air Canada mobile app or mobile website during check-in
- Within 24 hours of departure, customers checking in on mobile can securely submit their test results by scanning a QR code of the Centogene lab test result
- Customers will then receive a message verifying the test that will enable them to pass through the airport and board their flight without any further requirement to demonstrate the validity of their health documents
- Customers must bring and retain their original documents for the duration of their journey
“As travel resumes around the world, we’re proud to do our part to support government health protocols that protect passengers and safeguard local communities,” said Mark Nasr, Senior Vice President, Products, Marketing and eCommerce. “Once fully rolled out, this new function from Amadeus will make it easy for customers to securely submit their COVID-19 test results and records of vaccination for review ahead of their flights. Pre-validation of those documents will streamline the airport experience, one of many ways Air Canada is focused on elevating the customer journey with touchless travel services.”
Nasr added that the new service complements Air Canada’s Covid Information Hub featuring detailed information on travel requirements and testing.
Based on Amadeus Traveler ID, which automates document verification for travellers in order to minimize queues, the new service also provides information about government health entry requirements of the destination country, and is compatible with other health passport applications currently under development around the world.
The news comes one week after Prime Minister Trudeau announced new proof of vaccination capabilities via Canada’s ArriveCAN app. As the first track of Canada’s “2-track proof of vaccination system,” it is expected to be up and running in the coming weeks. The second track, a national solution, will hopefully be implemented in the fall.
IATA’s Travel Pass, which also manages testing and vaccine information, is already being used by several airlines, including Air France, which is carrying out a trial program on outbound flights from Montreal to Paris.
