The chief of the IATA commented that leisure travel will return this year

Travellers looking to cure their wanderlust this year may have hope after all.

The chief of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said personal and leisure travel will return from the second half of 2021.

In an interview with The Straits Times, Alexandre de Juniac said there will likely be “a change in the air travel landscape after May or June this year” as borders begin to reopen to tourists.

He added that IATA is already working on road maps and protocols with various states for the reopening of borders, including IATA's Travel Pass.

(Related: Singapore Airlines to Trial Covid-19 Digital Travel Pass)

The Travel Pass is a digital health app that will help “validate and authenticate all country regulations regarding Covid-19 passenger travel requirements”. The app, developed by the IATA, will store information on passengers' health, including whether they have had virus tests or vaccines, to streamline travel as borders reopen.

Currently, there are 14 airlines trialling the IATA Travel Pass, including Singapore Airlines.

Singapore's national carrier said it would offer travellers heading from the city-state to London between March 15 and 28 the chance to participate in the pilot if they have a phone operating on the iOS system.

"Our partnership with Singapore Airlines for the first full deployment of the IATA Travel Pass will help get the world flying again," Iata’s Nick Careen told AFP.