Qatar Airways Become First in Middle East to Trial the IATA Travel Pass

Qatar Airways became the first airline in the Middle East to begin trials of the innovative new IATA Travel Pass ‘Digital Passport’ mobile app in partnership with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Qatar Ministry of Public Health, Primary Health Care Corporation and Hamad Medical Corporation, starting 11 March 2021.

According to Qatar Airways, passengers on the award-winning airline’s Doha to Istanbul route will become the first group to experience the IATA ‘Digital Passport’ app which aims to play an important role in the airline’s vision to have a more contactless, secure and seamless travel experience for its passengers.

We have confidence in the credibility of the IATA Travel Pass as the industry’s most reliable and innovative solution given its strong data privacy compliance, long-standing entry rules engine and ability to provide an end-to-end solution. We are proud to be at the forefront of trialling this platform, being one of the first globally and the first airline in the Middle East to trial the technology.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker.

IATA Travel Pass ensures passengers receive up-to-date information on COVID-19 health regulations at their destination country, as well as complying with strict global data privacy regulations to enable the sharing of COVID-19 test results with airlines to verify they are eligible to undertake their journey.

Qatar Airways has also become the first global airline in the world to achieve the prestigious 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. This follows HIA’s recent success as the first and only airport in the Middle East and Asia to be awarded a Skytrax 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating.

The Airline says that these recognitions provide assurance to passengers across the world that airline health and safety standards are subject to the highest possible standards of professional, independent scrutiny and assessment. For full details of all the measures that have been implemented on board and in HIA, visit https://www.qatarairways.com/en/safety-measures.html

Feature image by Qatar Airways

Amid global economic uncertainty and rising living costs, Singaporean voters once again turned to the ruling party, the People’s Action Party (PAP), granting it a decisive victory in Saturday’s general election. Under the leadership of newly appointed Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, the PAP secured 65.6% of the vote and retained 87 out of 97 parliamentary seats, thereby reaffirming its dominance after more than six decades in power.

The election, Wong’s first as head of the ruling party, occurred at a time of growing public anxiety over inflation, job security, and international instability. While opposition rallies drew large crowds and vocal online dissatisfaction surfaced, the results ultimately showed a population still strongly aligned with the promise of political continuity.

Wong, widely recognized for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, campaigned on stability and experience. Moreover, his warning that a stronger opposition could weaken the government’s ability to manage external threats resonated with voters seeking a steady course through global turbulence.

Meanwhile, the Workers’ Party, the country’s most prominent opposition force, held onto its 10 seats but failed to expand its presence, despite campaigning on issues like housing affordability and the cost of living.

In the end, the electorate chose familiarity — and the security of a ruling party they believe can weather storms. As Wong stated after the results, the clear mandate signals trust and confidence in the PAP to guide Singapore through uncertain times.

Feature Image via: Nikkei Asia

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