Emirates and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) have begun to digitalise Covid-19 medical records for UAE-based travellers.
This means that Emirates customers who have taken a PCR test in Dubai, or who have been vaccinated at a DHA health centre, can check-in without presenting paper copies to the airline. The Covid-19 testing and vaccination details will be synchronised electronically with their flight details, and the information will then be checked against the entry requirements of the destination.
According to the airline, the new verification procedures will enable “secure and faster processing times” for travellers departing Dubai International airport.
The airline has stated that it will only process the “relevant information specifically related to the Covid-19 entry requirements of the customer’s destination”. Once the traveller has checked in, any information related to Covid-19 medical records will be deleted from the airline’s systems.
Customers who have had a PCR test or vaccination outside of Dubai will still have to provide physical travel documents at check-in.
The integration comes less than two months after the signing of a memorandum between Emirates and the DHA, and reportedly makes Dubai one of the first cities in the world to “implement full digital verification of traveller medical records related to Covid-19 testing and vaccination”.
Adel Al Redha, Chief Operating Officer for Emirates Airline said:
“The UAE government has been very supportive and is one of the leading countries in the use of technology and digital applications. This initiative is in line with the government’s vision and we are delighted to take this step within the aviation sector to cooperate with DHA in linking our systems together to enhance the customer experience by processing the relevant documents in a more efficient, secure and effective manner. Our partnership with the Dubai Health Authority in managing passenger travel is unique and is a first step towards other initiatives that will be launched in the near future. This is a testament to Dubai’s progressive approach in delivering innovative digital solutions across all aspects of services.”
Ahmed Al Nuaimi, CEO of Joint Corporate Support Services at the DHA, added:
“The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has been strongly foraying into paperless healthcare over the past few years to enhance patient convenience and further improve healthcare delivery. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have deployed and fostered the use of digital healthcare. The strategic foresight into investing in digital healthcare has paved the way today for such a pioneering integration. This partnership will directly help streamline and make travel easy and convenient as well as ensure validation of all necessary COVID-19 medical records.”
Earlier this month Emirates became the latest airline to carry out trials of the IATA Travel Pass, and also operated special A380 superjumbo flights on which all crew and passengers were fully vaccinated.
