Aviation industry calls for collaboration on ’vaccine passports’, concerns remain

The aviation sector is calling for close collaboration in development of so-called “vaccine passports”, hoping such documents could promote re-opening of international travel following the yearlong coronavirus crisis. However, some industry participants insist such documents – which would prove a person has been immunised – should not be required to travel internationally. Executives say governments, airlines and others must work jointly to make such documents effective and accepted globally, while still protecting holders’ privacy. “Coming to grips with what that standard looks like and getting enough… countries to sign up – that’s the challenge,” says Boeing CE David Calhoun. “Do we need something? I think we absolutely do. I’m hopeful that coordination will begin in the next couple of months.” Vaccine passports have become a hot topic as more potential travellers are immunised against the coronavirus. The documents – also known as digital health passports – have been floated as a means by which governments can open international travel to more people. “The initiative has a lot of merit and will allow international travel to come back,” says Alaska Airlines CE Ben Minicucci. “If it unlocks international travel, then it’s worth pursuing.”<br/>