This article was originally published in the Airlines. Magazine Special Edition “Our Expertise: Guiding You Forward”.
Passengers want contactless travel. The latest IATA Global Passenger Survey revealed that 75% of respondents prefer using biometrics over traditional passports and boarding passes. And with air travel demand set to double in the coming decades, it is a welcome preference as traditional paper-based processes would be unable to cope.
IATA’s One ID initiative will provide the platform for success, generating critical global standards. It will allow passengers to share their live biometric image and journey information in advance and go through airport touchpoints without the need to show their physical documents repetitively.
Parts of the travel process that could be made more efficient with contactless travel include bag drop, lounge access, security access, security screening and boarding.
A proof of concept (PoC) featuring a fully digital journey has already taken place. Two passengers used different digital wallets and travel credentials on a round-trip between Hong Kong and Tokyo.
As part of the PoC, the travelers used biometric identification to manage airport processes in a live environment. In fact, the successful journey integrated seven verifiable credentials (ePassport copy, live biometric image, visa copy, company ID, frequent flyer membership, order, and boarding pass), two digital wallets, and a trust registry to verify issuers.
Some important lessons were learned about the way forward. Clearly, passenger data must always be secure, and resiliency is a must. Governments must also play their part and issue standardized digital passports and other forms of digital identities. In Europe, EU governments must be able to issue digital IDs to those that request them in 2027. There are various other timelines around the world, but it will be critical for all efforts to be harmonized through ICAO’s Digital Travel Credential and Digital Travel Authorization programs.
To accelerate the adoption of One ID and contactless travel solutions, and to address the emerging need for a clear understanding of where contactless services are offered and who is eligible to use these services, IATA has introduced a Contactless Travel Directory. This matchmaking service assists airlines in identifying and offering contactless travel at specific airports, including with their partner airlines, ensuring a clearer path for both providers and passengers.
“The clear message from travelers is that they expect to board their planes faster with technology and smarter processes beginning well before they reach the airport,” said Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President, Operations, Safety and Security. “And the good news is that we are making this happen. Already travelers can arrive at the airport ready to fly with admissibility checks completed. And biometrics and digital identity can deliver a paperless experience once at the airport. That’s great for passengers. Importantly, the greater efficiency will help airport infrastructure to better cope with the growth in passenger numbers, helping to make the business case for adopting these new technologies and processes even more compelling.”
Discover the passenger's journey toward a seamless and contactless experience.
