Air Canada launches solution for digitizing COVID-19 test results

Air Canada has launched a new digital solution available through its mobile app for customers to securely scan, upload and verify their COVID-19 test results. 

This feature will help travellers conveniently validate compliance with government health travel requirements prior to arriving at the airport, the airline says. 

Air Canada has developed its new solution with the support of Amadeus, one of the world's leading travel technology companies. 

Network rollout planned for summer 

Initially available beginning June 29 for flights from Frankfurt to Toronto and Montreal, the airline plans to roll-out the solution across its network later this summer pending results of the trial and introduce new capabilities so that customers can also pre-validate proofs of vaccination.

"As travel resumes around the world, we're proud to do our part to support government health protocols that protect passengers and safeguard local communities. Once fully rolled out, this new function from Amadeus will make it easy for customers to securely submit their COVID-19 test results and records of vaccination for review ahead of their flights. Pre-validation of those documents will streamline the airport experience, one of many ways Air Canada is focused on elevating the customer journey with touchless travel services," said Mark Nasr, senior vic-president, products, marketing and eCommerce. 

The new service adds to Air Canada's "Covid Information Hub" featuring detailed information on travel requirements here, Nasr said.  

For the Frankfurt departure trial beginning June 29, 2021, the new mobile solution will accept COVID-19 PCR test results from Centogene Labs in Germany. 

The use of the new function by customers is optional. 

Need to knows

Air Canada, on Friday (June 25), outlined how the new process works.

There is no requirement to download an application as a link to submit documents will appear on the Air Canada mobile app or mobile website during check-in. 

Within 24 hours of departure, customers checking-in on mobile can securely submit their test results by scanning a QR code of the Centogene lab test result.

Customers will then receive a message verifying the test that will enable them to pass through the airport and board their flight without any further requirement to demonstrate the validity of their health documents

Customers must bring and retain their original documents for the duration of their journey.

The new feature is based on Amadeus Traveler ID, which automates document verification for travellers in order to minimize queues. 

Capabilities to manage test results from other labs and also vaccination records will be introduced. 

To further assist customers, the new solution also provides information about the government health entry requirements of the destination country. 

It is designed to be compatible with other health passport applications currently under development around the world.

The news comes as the aviation industry finds new and innovative ways to streamline the air travel experience amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Earlier this week, Air France announced that, starting June 24, it would begin trials of the IATA Travel Pass on flights from Montreal to Paris. 

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