(REJECTED) New York’s Albany Airport Deploys GE’s Blockchain-Enabled Wellness Trace App for Enhanced COVID-19 Protection

Albany International Airport, located in New York, United States, has partnered with General Electric (GE) to use its blockchain-powered wellness trace app to track COVID-19 cleaning guidelines. This approach is aimed at making air travel safer for airport visitors in the post-COVID-19 pandemic world. 

Real-time tracking of how surfaces are cleaned

By deploying the blockchain-enabled wellness trace app, Albany Airport will track the laid out cleaning protocols needed to stem coronavirus when screening employees and passengers. Passengers with the help of QR codes will have the opportunity to use the app for real-time tracking of how surfaces and touchpoints throughout the airport are cleaned.

Daniel P. McCoy, the Albany County Executive, noted:

“Being able to scan a QR code and know the last time that surface at the airport was cleaned may alleviate some of the stress and uncertainty people are feeling as they venture out and bring back a sense of confidence. Any reassurance we can give people as they travel that they are doing so safely is important.”

The blockchain-enabled app will also utilize community-sourced data to rate nearby hotels, restaurants, and amenities based on COVID-19 precautionary measures. This will be instrumental in boosting travelers’ safety. 

Digital solutions for safer travel

In late June, GE launched the wellness trace app after partnering with Eurofins and TE FOOD to provide airlines and airports with a comprehensive platform for tracking COVID-19 screening. The objective also included setting protocols to trace the cleaning of the aircraft or airport. 

Andrew Coleman, GE’s general manager, acknowledged:

“We believe the digital vision Albany International Airport is advancing is exactly the kind of template airports and airlines will need to ensure safe, healthy travel through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.” 

The blockchain-powered app’s primary goal is shining the light on the public about safe travel amid the coronavirus pandemic. It also has a vision of creating a community similar to Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Waze. 

In May, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) partnered with International SOS, the globe’s biggest medical and travel security services firm, to establish a new blockchain-enabled mobile app dubbed ICC AOKpass. It was to be instrumental in providing trusted and immutable recognition of persons’ COVID-19 compliance status.