Digital passes to replace paper incoming passenger cards in new trial for Qantas flights from NZ

The paper incoming passenger cards travellers are required to fill out when they enter the country are set to be replaced by digital passes in a new trial.

Announced on Friday, Qantas passengers travelling from New Zealand will be the first to test the pilot program later this year.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Digital arrivals card trial could soon make travelling a lot less annoying.

Passengers will be asked to complete the digital declarations through the Qantas app, and can do so up to 72 hours before they arrive.

Once completed, travellers will be sent a digital pass which will include a QR code that can be shown to Australian Border Force officers.

In Australia, travellers arriving into the country are required by law to fill out the card which is used to identify themselves and provide certain information, such as customs and quarantine declarations.

The orange piece of paper is usually given to passengers on board the plane or in the arrival terminal.

Tourism & Transport Forum Australia chief executive Margy Osmond said the paper passenger cards were a “relic of the past” and that the move into the digital age was a step towards more efficient travel.

“Finally, passengers landing in Australia won’t have to fill out a paper arrival card with a pen,” she said.

“These reforms will improve the airport experience for travellers when they arrive, whilst prioritising border security, through a more modern, efficient process, which we’ve long been advocating for.”

Australian Border Force Commissioner Michael Outram said he was excited about the potential to further improve traveller experience in the lead up to the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane.

“With this in our sights, we are continuing to collaborate with our agency partners and industry to set the global standard for traveller experience,” he said.

The program is expected to expand to other airlines as it progresses.