On Thursday 22 July, the European Commission published guidelines for Member States on efficient ways to verify European digital Covid certificates and to ensure the smooth and secure flow of passengers and staff in the air transport sector.
This announcement follows the EU’s launch on 1 July of the EU Digital Covid Certificate (see EUROPE 12739/6).
“Reaping the full benefits of the EU Digital COVID Certificate requires the harmonisation of the verification protocol. Cooperating for a ‘one-stop’ system to check the certificates makes for a seamless travel experience for the passengers across the Union”, said Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean.
The Commission said it was counting on this one-stop shop to “avoid duplication” - meaning identical checks that would be carried out by different players, such as airlines and public authorities.
The EU advocates that checks should take place “as soon as possible, preferably before the passenger arrives at the airport of departure”. This process, Vălean stressed, involves the establishment of “coordination between authorities, airports and airlines”.
These published guidelines are intended to help ease airport congestion at a time when the number of passengers - and checks - is increased during the summer period.
The Commission estimates that air traffic in July will be around 60% of the levels it was at in 2019, before increasing thereafter. (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)