HONG KONG: Cathay Pacific has extended its flight ban between Hong Kong and South Africa until 30 June due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Cathay Pacific Airways had initially suspended flights between Hong Kong Airport and Johannesburg Airport in South Africa last month, following the emergence of a Covid-19 variant.
Meanwhile, the airline is speeding up its adoption of digital travel passes following last week’s trial completed on a Hong Kong-Los Angeles route.
Cathay Pacific pilots and cabin crew volunteered for the trial, using the CommonPass app and pre-departure rapid PCR test records to create a digital pass that included their name, travel document number, and confirmation that their negative Covid-19 PCR test result was within the prescribed timeframe and conducted at accredited labs, as required by authorities.
The adoption of digital travel passes will make the pre-departure journey more seamless and stress-free for passengers in the post-Covid world. In future, this verification process can also be used to support border control processes to help enable the safe reopening of borders.
Cathay Pacific is also a member of the IATA Travel Pass Advisory Group.
Cathay Pacific, general manager of customer experience and design Vivian Lo said: “International travel remains suppressed due to various travel restraints around the world. For borders to reopen fully once again, travellers will need to provide Covid-19 test and vaccination records that meet government requirements in order to travel.
“We believe that digital travel passes will play an important role in helping facilitate the safe, progressive return of international travel.”
