Iata travel pass: 'digital passports' will get the world moving again


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When King Artaxerxes I of Persia issued the first known passport in the fifth century BC – in the form of a letter requesting safe passage – to one of his officials travelling to what is now Palestine, he did so to assure the rulers of the lands in between that his man posed no threat to them or their nations. The world was a suspicious place and borders were a natural way to ensure that foreign dangers were kept out.

International travel has become a much less fraught affair over the last 2,500 years. But the coronavirus pandemic has reminded us what borders have always been: both an expression of countries' fears and a tool to allay them. The virus, as many public figures have taken to pointing out, knows no borders. But in the past 10 months, with nations either shuttering or significantly tightening their borders, people have got to know them very well.

The fortunes of the international travel and aviation sectors are inextricable from the permeability of borders, and so in the current climate the consequences for them have been dire. That has rippled into other corners of the global economy, too, from tourism to manufacturing.

  • Latvia's Air Baltic scored 7 out of 7 for its Covid-19 compliance rating by airlineratings.com. AAFP
    Latvia's Air Baltic scored 7 out of 7 for its Covid-19 compliance rating by airlineratings.com. AAFP
  • Air New Zealand also ranked in the top 20. AFP
    Air New Zealand also ranked in the top 20. AFP
  • Alaska Airlines also took the top rating for Covid-19 compliance. Image courtesy Tomas Del Coro
    Alaska Airlines also took the top rating for Covid-19 compliance. Image courtesy Tomas Del Coro
  • Japan's All Nippon Airways made the cut. Reuters
    Japan's All Nippon Airways made the cut. Reuters
  • Low-cost airline Air Asia is one of few budget airlines in the top 20. Bloomberg
    Low-cost airline Air Asia is one of few budget airlines in the top 20. Bloomberg
  • British Airways scored big for its Covid-19 compliance. Airlines are scored out of seven categories by airlineratings.com. Reuters
    British Airways scored big for its Covid-19 compliance. Airlines are scored out of seven categories by airlineratings.com. Reuters
  • Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific also ranked in the top 20. Reuters
    Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific also ranked in the top 20. Reuters
  • Delta Air Lines ranks as one of the top 20 airlines for Covid-19 compliance. Getty Images
    Delta Air Lines ranks as one of the top 20 airlines for Covid-19 compliance. Getty Images
  • Emirates scored 7 out of 7 for its Covid-19 compliance. Getty Images
    Emirates scored 7 out of 7 for its Covid-19 compliance. Getty Images
  • Etihad Airways also took the highest score. Courtesy Etihad
    Etihad Airways also took the highest score. Courtesy Etihad
  • Taiwan's Eva Air was noted for its Covid-19 regulations. AFP
    Taiwan's Eva Air was noted for its Covid-19 regulations. AFP
  • Japan Airlines ranked in the top 20 Covid-safe airlines.
    Japan Airlines ranked in the top 20 Covid-safe airlines.
  • JetBlue's Covid-19 policies held up to scrutiny. James Darcy / Airbus
    JetBlue's Covid-19 policies held up to scrutiny. James Darcy / Airbus
  • The Netherlands' KLM also led the way in Covid-19 compliance. Courtesy KLM
    The Netherlands' KLM also led the way in Covid-19 compliance. Courtesy KLM
  • Korean Air scoreed seven stars for implementing Covid-19 policies. Courtesy Wikimedia Commons
    Korean Air scoreed seven stars for implementing Covid-19 policies. Courtesy Wikimedia Commons
  • Germany's Lufthansa also ranked high for its policies to protect travellers against the coronavirus. Reuters
    Germany's Lufthansa also ranked high for its policies to protect travellers against the coronavirus. Reuters
  • Singapore Airlines was listed in the top 20. AFP
    Singapore Airlines was listed in the top 20. AFP
  • Southwest Airlines from the US also made the cut. Reuters
    Southwest Airlines from the US also made the cut. Reuters
  • Qatar Airways ranked in the top 20 airlines for Covid-19 compliance. AP
    Qatar Airways ranked in the top 20 airlines for Covid-19 compliance. AP
  • Westjet rounds out the top 20 airlines leading the way for Covid-19 compliance. Getty Images
    Westjet rounds out the top 20 airlines leading the way for Covid-19 compliance. Getty Images

It has been clear since the early days of the pandemic that diagnosing those who were infected quickly and efficiently, through mass testing, is critical. The development and distribution of vaccines would come next.

All of these steps have materialised in some form, albeit imperfectly and unevenly, across much of the world. Most countries have some form of testing, though the technologies deployed vary widely. And most have formulated some kind of vaccination plan, though the ability to realise them varies, too.

So long as the success of all of these efforts remains a work in progress, however, any return to “normality” remains frozen by the necessity of intermittent lockdowns and quarantines for travellers. So when can we get the world moving again?

The simple answer is, when every country's path – or at least a plurality of them – out of the pandemic begins to converge through a concerted, global effort. The variations in progress must minimise in favour of a unified approach trusted by everyone.

In a bid to save its sector, the International Air Transport Association, a global aviation trade body, is rolling out a "travel pass". Iata envisions it as a "digital passport" – a mobile phone app linking the information from a traveller's physical passport with records of their coronavirus tests and vaccinations.

Crucially, the app will cross-reference the records with the testing and vaccination requirements of departure and destination countries, reassuring border officials that the person is safe to travel. Iata will also work with the World Health Organisation and other international bodies to ascertain what testing and vaccine regimes will form the basis for a comprehensible global standard.

Iata has already announced plans to trial the travel pass with Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways and Dubai's Emirates, two airlines that, thanks to the UAE's ability to roll out testing and vaccinations quickly, have been spared the worst of the pandemic's havoc on the sector.

The digital passport, Iata hopes, will eventually "re-open borders without quarantine" so that governments can be "confident that they are effectively mitigating the risk of importing Covid-19". For most of the world, that confidence is probably still a long way off. But global standards for dealing with the pandemic are the right goal for which countries should aim. They will be integral in restoring trust. And trust, as travellers since the time of Artaxerxes have known, is the only way to ensure safe passage.

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BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

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Match info

Costa Rica 0

Serbia 1
Kolarov (56')

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Cricket World Cup League 2

UAE results
Lost to Oman by eight runs
Beat Namibia by three wickets
Lost to Oman by 12 runs
Beat Namibia by 43 runs

UAE fixtures
Free admission. All fixtures broadcast live on icc.tv

Tuesday March 15, v PNG at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Friday March 18, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium
Saturday March 19, v PNG at Dubai International Stadium
Monday March 21, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium

Marathon results

Men:

 1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13 

2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50 

3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25 

4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46 

5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48  

Women:

1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30 

2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01 

3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30 

4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43 

5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01  

Indoor cricket in a nutshell

Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai

16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side

8 There are eight players per team

There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.

5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls

Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership

Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.

Zones

A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs

B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run

Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs

Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full

The Bloomberg Billionaire Index in full

1 Jeff Bezos $140 billion
2 Bill Gates $98.3 billion
3 Bernard Arnault $83.1 billion
4 Warren Buffett $83 billion
5 Amancio Ortega $67.9 billion
6 Mark Zuckerberg $67.3 billion
7 Larry Page $56.8 billion
8 Larry Ellison $56.1 billion
9 Sergey Brin $55.2 billion
10 Carlos Slim $55.2 billion

The specs: 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman

Price, base / as tested Dh222,500 / Dh296,870

Engine 2.0L, flat four-cylinder

Transmission Seven-speed PDK

Power 300hp @ 6,500rpm

Torque 380hp @ 1,950rpm

Fuel economy, combined 6.9L / 100km

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Building boom turning to bust as Turkey's economy slows

Deep in a provincial region of northwestern Turkey, it looks like a mirage - hundreds of luxury houses built in neat rows, their pointed towers somewhere between French chateau and Disney castle.

Meant to provide luxurious accommodations for foreign buyers, the houses are however standing empty in what is anything but a fairytale for their investors.

The ambitious development has been hit by regional turmoil as well as the slump in the Turkish construction industry - a key sector - as the country's economy heads towards what could be a hard landing in an intensifying downturn.

After a long period of solid growth, Turkey's economy contracted 1.1 per cent in the third quarter, and many economists expect it will enter into recession this year.

The country has been hit by high inflation and a currency crisis in August. The lira lost 28 per cent of its value against the dollar in 2018 and markets are still unconvinced by the readiness of the government under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to tackle underlying economic issues.

The villas close to the town centre of Mudurnu in the Bolu region are intended to resemble European architecture and are part of the Sarot Group's Burj Al Babas project.

But the development of 732 villas and a shopping centre - which began in 2014 - is now in limbo as Sarot Group has sought bankruptcy protection.

It is one of hundreds of Turkish companies that have done so as they seek cover from creditors and to restructure their debts.

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills