EVA Air has partnered with Affinidi and Singapore Changi Airport in a pilot programme that uses a digital platform to verify passengers’ PCR test results for its Singapore-Taipei flights.
The airline plans to extend this service to flights from Malaysia and Indonesia to Taipei and is evaluating the introduction of digital systems on other routes based on trial outcomes.
EVA Air has always made every effort to safeguard passengers’ and crewmembers’ health and safety. Airline Ratings’ recognition of EVA as one of the “World’s Top Twenty COVID-19 Compliant Airlines” with “Seven Star Certification for COVID-19 Epidemic Prevention” reaffirms that dedication as the airline actively pursues the development of different digital verification platforms.
When the epidemic started, EVA began monitoring digital verification platform development and cross-border application standardisation that would enable international systems to connect and help prevent the further spread of the pandemic. EVA is now working with airlines and industry organisations to implement a reliable digital platform for verifying passengers’ PCR test results and vaccine injection records.
Singapore began requiring QR Codes for PCR test results from medical institutions in March 2021. At airports with digital-solution-provider Affinidi‘s platform, airline ground staff can scan the QR code and quickly determine the authenticity of test results, including the name of the medical institution, date of the test and whether the passenger meets relevant policy requirements in their destination country. Among regulations that may vary from country to country, Taiwan currently requires each passenger to present a paper copy of their PCR test results from a medical institution when they check-in.
In an earlier trial, EVA found that, on average, digital verification saved passengers as much as 5 minutes of wait time and prevented human errors stemming from the individual interpretation of test results. Digital verification improved passengers’ experience at the airport and boosted operation efficiency significantly.
EVA upholds rigorous standards for Covid-19 prevention measures and continually enhances and improves the efforts it employs. In addition to adjusting inflight service procedures and further elevating cabin cleanliness, it provides passengers with personal hygiene kits. It is also working to optimise ground operations by encouraging passengers to self-check-in, re-engineering boarding sequences and implementing biometrics with a facial recognition boarding system that reduces unnecessary contact for passengers. EVA designed these measures to help ensure that its passengers enjoy a safe and comfortable flight.
As Covid-19 vaccines roll out across the globe, international travel is likely to resume. Standardised digital health verification systems will make it easier for international travellers to prove they have been vaccinated against Covid-19 and confirm negative test results. In addition to the trial for this system at Singapore Changi Airport and collaboration with international aviation organisations, EVA is working with other digital health verification platforms.
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