IBM and Amadeus integrate travel health platforms amid rebound in travel

MADRID, July 22 (Reuters) – Spain’s Amadeus will integrate IBM’s digital health pass into its traveler identification platform in a bid to simplify the verification of passenger health information during the boarding process , the companies said in a joint statement on Thursday.

The aviation, tourism and tech sectors have deepened their collaboration since the onset of the pandemic, with a host of new digital applications and products emerging in response to a global patchwork of restrictions and requirements for travel.

IBM’s system – which uses encryption and blockchain technologies to authenticate diagnostic tests such as antigen or PCR – assigns passengers a QR code that indicates whether they are fit to fly, rather than need gate attendants to manually verify test details for each traveler.

“This approach helps airlines have confidence that added health credentials are valid and eliminates the wait for boarding agents to verify health documents,” industry manager Greg Land told Reuters. IBM travel and transportation.

“It also protects the privacy of individuals since only a QR code that reflects the status of individuals – for example ‘ready to fly’ – is displayed when scanned.”

By integrating IBM’s Digital Health Pass into its traveler identification system, Amadeus hopes to reassure passengers about the security of their medical data, which the booking group says will not be stored or tracked – a concern shared by many potential travelers. [ read more ]

Amadeus had launched its Traveler ID platform earlier this year as a white label product for airlines wishing to include the use of health credentials on their website or apps, so passengers can upload health documents directly into their reservation systems. Read more

Amadeus reports that Traveler ID currently has 10 airlines as live customers, six of which are publicly announced, including Air Canada, Norwegian and Spain’s Air Europa – which British Airways owner IAG (ICAG.L) is in the process of to resume.

IBM’s new integrated service will be available as an add-on for all 10 Amadeus Traveler ID subscribers, a spokesperson told Reuters.

Reporting by Clara-Laeila Laudette; edited by Stephen Coates

Our Standards: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.