As a result of Covid-19, the global travel industry has had one of the most turbulent years ever, and now the CEO of Dubai Airports, Paul Griffiths, has announced that vaccine passports are “inevitable” if international travel is to resume.
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The chief executive, speaking to the BBC, backed the papers, calling them “inevitable.” He said, “I don’t believe there is an alternative.”
Vaccine Passports ‘Inevitable’ if International Travel is to be Fully Restored – Dubai Airports CEO
“I think the problem is not the vaccine passport and its discrimination. It’s the need to roll things out and have a proper globally equitable vaccine programme,” Griffiths said the Gulf Business reported.
“I think the problem is not the vaccine passport and its discrimination. It’s the need to roll things out and have a proper globally equitable vaccine programme,” he added.
In comparison to before the pandemic, Dubai International (DXB) served 63% of destinations in 89 per cent of countries on 74% of airlines by the end of Q1 2021. Meanwhile, it carried 5.75 million passengers in the first quarter of this year.
With 1,384,448 customers in Q1, India remained DXB’s top destination country, with Pakistan coming in second with 454,294 customers, followed by Bangladesh (221,027 customers) and Russia (196,890 customers).
New Delhi (262,035 customers), Dhaka (178,593), and Addis Ababa were the top three cities (169,715 customers).
Emirates and Etihad Airways are currently testing the IATA Travel Pass, a smartphone app that stores your PCR and vaccination information to make travel easier during these periods. The digital platform is designed to remotely monitor all travel documents in accordance with government regulations.
“I just don’t think the world can survive much longer without that mobility, both socially and economically, but you can understand why countries all over the world are being so conservative. A surge of infection on their turf is the last thing any politician needs, according to Griffiths.
Passengers flying internationally will be able to share their Covid-19 test status with the airline before even arriving at the airport, which will then auto-populate into their check-in system, ensuring a smooth travel experience.
Emirates and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) have recently started collaborating on a new framework that will digitally update and validate Covid-19 medical records. The device will display recent PCR results as well as vaccine records.
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