IndiGo has become India's first airline to pilot IATA's Travel Pass. The app allows travelers to pre-verify their travel requirements, including testing, vaccination, and entry guidelines. While the app was originally set to launch weeks ago, it remains in testing with select airlines globally.

Domestic and international?

In a statement this week, IndiGo announced that it will be India's first airline to use IATA's Travel Pass for its flights. The exact routes it will be rolled out on remain under wraps, including if it could be used on domestic flights. While the app is meant for international travel, India's complex domestic testing rules mean it may come in handy there too.

IndiGo joins dozens of other airlines globally using the Travel Pass in trials. From LATAM to Finnair to Ethiopian, the app is being tested globally before being rolled out to passengers at large. To access the app, travelers currently need an airline-given six-digit code.

In a statement about the inclusion of Travel Pass on IndiGo flights, CEO Ronojoy Dutta said,

"We are proud to partner with IATA to become the country’s first airline to take this step towards enabling customers with a travel pass mobile app. This initiative is a significant step to prepare for a new normal, especially with regards to international travel...We are certain that our collaboration with IATA on this innovation will prove to be a stepping-stone towards international air travel recovery, while providing a hassle-free experience to our customers.”

The pass saves time

IATA Travel Pass will save both passengers and airlines a lot of time. Anyone who has traveled internationally since last March knows the effort that goes into ensuring you are eligible to travel. From negative test reports to health declarations and vaccination proof, paperwork is a maze for any international flight these days.

The same applies to airlines and immigration. Staffers must verify every single document to ensure it is authentic and meets the destination's requirements. This has led to long lines at many airports, extending into the hours, and a lot of confusion about what is needed. IATA Travel Pass aims to simplify this into a single application.

Instead of paperwork, travelers just have to upload their details straight onto Travel Pass. The app has also partnered with testing centers to direct send results to the app, cutting down the chances of fraud too. Once you have met the requirements, a green tick will appear to let airlines know that you are ready to fly!

Rolling out

IATA's Travel Pass initiative is not new by any means. It came into operation in January 2021 and quickly began finding airline partners. However, despite timelines for a public rollout, the app remains limited to a few routes with trial airlines. For digital passports to truly take off, they will need to expand their reach and gain more acceptance globally. Until then, we'll all be carrying paperwork to the airport for our next flight.

What do you think about IndiGo's decision to use Travel Pass? Let us know in the comments!