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Airlines Want Different Name for “COVID-19 Passport” Apps

Creative abstract business air travel, mobility and communication concept: modern touchscreen smartphone or mobile phone with airline internet web site offering booking or buying airliner tickets online, credit cards and passports on laptop or notebook computer PC keyboard with selective focus effect

Although flyers will most likely face COVID-19 testing or vaccination document requirements for international travel this year, airlines are hoping they will be known by a name other than passport. Executives are hoping to brand the digital apps as “credentials,” worried that “passport” will carry negative connotations.

When flyers are allowed to travel internationally this year, they will most likely need to provide documentation of their current COVID-19 status, in the form of a negative test or proof of vaccination. While the term “health passport” has been thrown around, airline executives are hopeful they will be called something else. In an interview with Yahoo Finance, aviation leaders said the term “passport” could have a negative effect on international travel recovery.

Leaders Prefer “Credential” Over “Passport” to Make Travel Friendly Again

Since the development of the IATA Travel Pass and Commons Foundation CommonPass, both were colloquially given the title of “passport” because of their function. The digital apps are to be presented with other international travel documents, and may be required for entry into another country. In comments to Yahoo Finance, Delta Air Lines chief executive Ed Bastian says he’s hopeful they won’t be called “passports.”

“We don’t call it [the digital COVID-19 document apps] a vaccine passport. It carries too many connotations,” Bastian said during the interview. “[Delta is] more focused on a credential, travel credential, if you will, to indicate that you’ve been vaccinated and or tested based on the regulatory requirements.”

As Internet users were quick to point out, some destinations require a vaccination passport proving vaccination status before flyers even step on an aircraft. As the race continues to develop a standard, airlines don’t want the novel Coronavirus to get the “passport” brand, as they fear it could discourage travelers from buying tickets to visit their favorite destinations.

Furthermore, the confusing standards could create issues for flyers who are trying to facilitate their travel plans moving forward. Creating an international health passport standard could potentially “resemble a [Department of Motor Vehicles-type bureaucracy] on steroids,” Mike Boyd of consulting firm Boyd Group International told Yahoo Finance.

Because countries won’t commit to a single app, the best hope is that requirements will be clearly communicated before travelers arrive at the airport – regardless of which standard the airline chooses to use.

America Sits on Sidelines of COVID-19 “Passport” Debate

The continued controversy comes as the White House continues to stay away from naming a preferred digital documentation standard for international travel. Even after being asked by travel and aviation stakeholders to get involved, the executive branch of the U.S. government said they would not get involved in selecting one standard over the other.

15 Comments
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tryathlete May 17, 2021

I’ve heard that those who were infected have superior immunity yet there’s no mention of these folks on any of these discussions.

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PapaJack May 13, 2021

@t_cliff a lot of those mentioned are not medically cleared to fly regardless. Call it whatever, just institute it. If you don't want to get vaxxed, then don't come to our country should be the motto. Likewise for restaurants, clubs etc. My kids school in Massachusetts requires that the kids have certain innoculations before attending the school. This past winter they added the Flu shot as a requirement. I am all for this. If you don't want to vax your kid (against their list) then find some alternative arrangement to getting them educated, and perhaps educate yourself on the word, "selfish" as well.

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UncleDude May 2, 2021

Sometime the Travel overseas is essential. Certainly for somebody trying to return to their own Country. Not all countries are the same size as USA.

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t_cliff April 29, 2021

What about those who should not be vaccinated, like pregnant, chronic illness, elderly, etc?

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awayIgo April 23, 2021

People need to grow up and stop playing word games! Get vaccinated and get proof that has an element of security. My American vaccine card can easily be forged. If you don’t want the vaccine or passport- don’t travel! There is no “right”: to travel internationally. It is a privilege!