For the first time, a small group of air travellers flying from Germany and Estonia to the United Arab Emirates has tested the health data platform and app SimplyGo in a live environment. As part of the trial project, SimplyGo is partnering with technology provider SITA. SITA’s advanced technology platforms and experience in border management, airport, and airline operations were crucial in distributing the SimplyGo platform across continents.
Ahead of the trial, some travellers obtained negative Covid-19 results via their SimplyGo app prior to boarding. Another group had a positive result or did not have a test done at all. They were ultimately denied check-in and boarding. The data was then securely stored on the SimplyGo platform to be accessed by airlines and border officials authorizing boarding of the plane and eventually handling the arrival at the destination country, the United Arab Emirates. Integration to the UAE government systems was made possible through the Advance Passenger Processing (APP) platform delivered by SITA. Integrating SimplyGo with APP forms part of SITA’s Health Protect ecosystem, simplifying and automating the inclusion of health data into the existing airline, airport, and government processes.
Both direct and connecting flights were successfully tested. Travellers were able to fly from Munich to the United Arab Emirates return as well as Tallinn to the United Arab Emirates via Frankfurt. In both examples, their approved COVID-19 test results were stored on the SimplyGo platform and, at the point of check-in, the traveller was approved or denied to travel by the relevant border officials using SITA APP.
Jeremy Springall, Vice-President SITA AT BORDERS, said: “As the technology provider for the air transport industry we are working closely with governments, industry bodies, and border organizations globally to mitigate health risks of travel during the pandemic.
SITA’s Health Protect ecosystem enables interoperability and acts as a bridge between health passport schemes, airlines, airports, and governments. It comprises a suite of solutions, including SITA Health ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization), SITA APP, and SITA Flex for in-airport passenger flow monitoring. Selecting the right combination of products and integrating with a health pass system like SimplyGo, ensures governments are aware of who is intending to travel and their health status.”
