Four Asia-Pacific airlines say they will require proof from international passengers they have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Qantas, Malaysian low-cost airline AirAsia, Air New Zealand and Korean Air said they might require international travelers to prove they've been vaccinated before flying.
The airlines separately said they would each review the requirement once a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available.
Qantas was the first to announce the plan. Chief executive Alan Joyce said the move was a "necessity" when vaccines become available in 2021.
Joyce said Qantas would likely change its terms and conditions to "ask people to have a vaccination before they get on the aircraft."
"Whether you need that domestically, we will have to see what happens," Joyce said. "But certainly, for international visitors coming out and people leaving the country - we think that's a necessity."
Joyce said vaccination passports will be a must before travel. "I think it will be a common theme, talking to my colleagues in other airlines across the world," said Joyce.
Air New Zealand said it was "really encouraged by the news around vaccines." "Ultimately, it's up to governments to determine when and how it is safe to reopen borders and we continue to work closely with authorities on this."
AirAsia on Tuesday said it "will review the requirement for guests to be vaccinated for international travel. "Ultimately, it's up to governments to determine when and how it is safe to reopen borders and we continue to work closely with authorities on this."
Korean Air said there was a real possibility airlines would require passengers to be vaccinated. Governments are likely to require vaccinations as a condition for lifting quarantine requirements for new arrivals. Korean Air said any change will be the result of coordination with governments.
The International Air Transport Association, the trade association of the world's airlines, said a digital health pass might include vaccine information.
It is working on a digital pass and plans to introduce it in the first quarter of 2021.
There are some doubts governments will mandate certifications. Vaccine passports might not even be legal, critics say.
