Forget scrounging around for a pen on the plane – in welcome news for Aussie travellers and international visitors, a digital ATD –Australia Travel Declaration trial will commence on select Qantas flights from New Zealand later this year, bringing us in line with other countries around the world.
The digital Australia Travel Declaration (ATD) pilot program will replace paper cards and marks the third trial for digital arrivals cards to facilitate more seamless travel.
It follows the failure of the COVID-era Accenture Digital Passenger Declaration(DPD) in 2022 and the 2017 proposed digital alternative rollout that never eventuated.
How the digital ATD will work
Qantas was selected as the first partner airline for the pilot program with the digital ATD initially accessible via the Qantas app for select flights.
Once completed, passengers will receive a digital pass through the app and by email, which will include a QR code to be shown to Australian Border Force (ABF) officers on arrival.
Travellers will be able to complete the digital ATD up to three days (72 hours) before they arrive in Australia.
Qantas Group Chief Customer & Digital Officer Catriona Larritt said: “We’re proud to partner with the Australian Government and industry to be the first airline to facilitate a pilot of the digital Australia Travel Declaration.”
Future digital ATD plans
ABF said the digital ATD trial will expand to other airlines as the program progresses beyond the pilot stage.
The ABF and other Australian and New Zealand government agencies have been working closely with Qantas on the pilot program for immigration, customs and biosecurity status on entry to Australia.
ABF Commissioner Michael Outram said: “We are excited by the possibilities this pilot program can open up for the future traveller experience – both in and out of Australia – and as we prepare to welcome the world when Brisbane hosts the Olympics in 2032.”
The travel industry responds
Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) Australia CEO Margy Osmond said the pilot program was a “major win for the tourism industry”.
“Finally, passengers landing in Australia won’t have to fill out a paper arrival card with a pen! The paper cards are a relic of the past and we can do much better in the digital age,” Osmond said.
“These reforms will improve the airport experience for travellers when they arrive, while prioritising border security, through a more modern, efficient process, which we’ve long been advocating for.”
TTF is part of the Trans-Tasman Seamless Travel Group established last year, championing the digital ATD trial to explore ways to move closer to seamless travel between the two countries.
Following broad consultation across the aviation and tourism sector, the group recently reported back to both Prime Ministers for a vision to work towards ‘contactless travel’ relying on digital credentials and facial recognition for quicker and easier progression through key steps at airports.
“The Trans-Tasman Seamless Travel Group will continue to meet to discuss further initiatives to enhance the passenger experience for trans-Tasman travellers, taking advantage of technology to make travel quicker and easier and attract more visitors to our shores,” Osmond added.
For more info, head to abf.gov.au
