MONTREAL — Air France has become the first airline to test IATA’s new Travel Pass app at Montréal-Trudeau airport.
In collaboration with the Biron Health Group, the airline is carrying out the trial program strictly on outbound flights from Montreal to Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport starting today, June 24, until July 15, 2021.
The IATA Travel Pass was first announced in November 2020 as a way to manage testing and vaccine information among governments, airlines, laboratories and travellers. Since then, several airlines have begun to use the pass, including Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Etihad, THAI Airways, Copa and Air New Zealand. The app meets the strictest data protection requirements, with all health details remaining on the app. At no point are they transmitted or centrally stored, which assures users of total control over their personal data.
Air France’s trial is free of charge for customers and offered on a voluntary basis. It is open to customers travelling on Air France-operated flights with Paris as a final destination.
Testing will be carried out at the Biron Health Group’s on-site facilities at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport. Eligible passengers will receive a notification a few days before departing for Paris. Testing is possible on the day of departure for travellers ages 11 and up who have not been vaccinated or have only received their first dose, as they are required to present proof of a negative PCR or antigen test result issued within 72 hours of their departure to enter France.
Participating travellers must do the following:
- Download the IATA Travel Pass app available on the Apple Store and Google Play and activate it using the code transmitted by Air France
- Book an appointment for their PCR or antigen test on the Biron Health Group website; at the time of the test, they must ask to have the results integrated directly to the IATA Travel Pass
- At the airport, proceed to the Air France SkyPriority counter and present their phone instead of a printed test result when checking travel formalities
To watch a video about the app, click here.
Air France has already deployed this trial program from New York-JFK and Barcelona.
“So we may improve our customers’ experience, our team is delighted to be trialing this digital solution that enables passengers to safely store their COVID test results and thus streamline their time at the airport,” said Catherine Guillemart-Dias, Vice-President and General Manager of Air France KLM Canada.
This summer Air France will operate 17 weekly flights from Montreal to Paris. The airline is offering enhanced ticket flexibility, allowing passengers to postpone or cancel or be refunded for any trip planned before Dec. 31, 2021, free of charge.
