EU Cooperates with EASA to Launch Common PLF for Safe Arrivals

Photo source: EASA

Common digital PLF for safe travel in EU expected to be ready by end of 2020

The European Commission is cooperating with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to launch a first pilot version of a common EU digital Passenger Locator Form (PLF) to ensure safe arrivals for member states.

The launch of a common EU PLF was announced last month as one of the Commission’s measures to facilitate safe travel in the post-Covid-19 era. PLFs help member states undertake risk assessments of arrivals and enable contact tracing.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday announced that a first pilot version of the common PLF is ready to launch.

“Four weeks ago, we were tasked to develop a passenger locator form digitally. Now, we are launching the first pilot – in close cooperation with EASA,” von der Leyen said during the press conference following the EU Leaders’ videoconference.

The Commission’s president added that two member states have already signed up.

“They signed up to start the pilot, but we have another 12 member states that are now technically ready to join, because they have already adopted a compatible digital passenger locator form,” she said.

“Our goal is that we will be ready with the passenger locator form until the end of the year.”

It is noted that Greece was the first country to launch the PLF system when it opened to tourism in July after the lockdown.