IATA urges support for common certificate

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is urging the European Union to support an initiative from Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to agree a common digital European COVID-19 vaccination certificate. It says it would enable those who are vaccinated to travel freely within Europe without COVID-19 testing.

IATA is calling on EU countries to coordinate a policy that it says would see Europe safely gain the economic and social benefits of renewed freedom of movement, beginning with those who are vaccinated; stating “Vaccination is a fundamental key to safely reopening borders and stimulating economic recovery. A pan-European mutually recognised vaccination certificate would be an important step towards giving governments the confidence to safely open their borders, and passengers the confidence to fly without the barrier of quarantine.”

The Greek proposal is for a harmonised vaccination certificate that could contribute to the re-establishment of mobility on a global scale, which is seen as the foundation for re-establishing economic activity to pre-crisis levels. The proposal says the requirement for a harmonised safe aviation restart is more urgent than ever in the face of renewed lockdowns and travel restrictions across the world.

As the virus comes eventually under control, testing capacities improve and the vaccinated population grows, IATA is stressing the need for governments to prepare for re-establishing the freedom of movement, with the most effective combination of vaccination and testing capabilities.