Customers on flights to Barbados from April 16 will be invited to use the Travel Pass app to verify they meet the Caribbean island’s entry requirements for pre-departure coronavirus testing.
Future versions of the app – developed by airline trade body the International Air Transport Association – will incorporate coronavirus vaccine records.
Virgin Atlantic said it will seek permission from the UK government to expand the trial to accommodate customers arriving on flights from Barbados to London Heathrow.
A number of other airlines are also using the app, including British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qantas and Qatar Airways.
Virgin Atlantic chief customer and operating officer Corneel Koster said: “In parallel to the UK’s successful vaccination programme and accompanied by a risk-based, phased easing of restrictions, we can see a flightpath to soon allow the safe restart of international travel at scale, in time for summer.
“When the skies reopen, rapid affordable testing combined with digital health integration will be vital to streamline and simplify the customer experience, make border health checks manageable and build consumer confidence.
“Governments, industry and technology companies need to work together to lead the adoption of digital solutions with global common standards that are accepted at borders.”
Overseas holidays are banned due to the UK’s coronavirus lockdown, but Boris Johnson said on Wednesday he will make an announcement on April 5 about lifting restrictions.
