Digital identity and biometric technologies can enhance passenger processing by making it more efficient and secure, while also improving the overall customer experience. These technologies allow for the digital verification of travel documents before passengers even arrive at the airport. By using biometric features such as facial recognition and fingerprints, passengers can pass through airport checkpoints without any physical contact.

IATA’s Digital Identity and Biometrics Fundamentals Handbook will clarify what forms of identity are used in travel today and what options exist to create a trusted digital identity that is suitable for passenger identification for air travel and is in respect of data protection and privacy needs.  It explores the different models to provide passengers with a way to prove they are who they say they are and share such information directly with the different stakeholders.   

The Digital Identity and Biometrics Fundamentals Handbook will guide the industry in understanding the technology used in digital identity and biometrics, the importance of privacy in the use of these technologies, and how trust is created and established. This guidance is developed for the benefit of airlines, airports and other industry partners who are looking to implement the solution into their operations. This guidance is an introduction to the topics of digital identity, biometric processing and verifiable credentials.

Order the Digital Identity and Biometrics Fundamentals Handbook online

Access the publication using the digital format through a web browser on any device connected to the Internet. With user-friendly search functionalities, it's the ideal solution for on-the-go or out-of-office needs. Single-user license without any software installation required available on Android, Apple and Windows devices. Contact us if you're interested in an enterprise solution for accessing IATA Publications.

What’s inside the Digital Identity and Biometrics Fundamentals Handbook?

The Digital Identity and Biometrics Fundamentals Handbook clarifies what forms of identity are used in travel today and what options exist to create a trusted digital identity that is suitable for passenger identification for air travel and is in respect of data protection and privacy needs.   

  • Chapter 1 – Introduction
  • Chapter 2 – One ID Concept (Principles, Benefits, Passenger Journey, Data Journey)
  • Chapter 3 – Digital Identity (Identity Authentication, Using Identity in the Passenger Journey, Decentralized Identity, Self-Sovereign Identity, Creating a Trusted Digital Identity)
  • Chapter 4 – IATA Standards (Digitalisation of Admissibility, Contactless Travel, Biometric Handling in Contactless Travel, Future Standards)
  • Chapter 5 – Privacy (General Data Protection Regulations, Definition of Consent - why it matters, Data Roles and Responsibilities, Personally Identifiable Information and Personal Data, Data Protection Roles in One ID Implementations)
  • Chapter 6 – Technology in One ID (One ID Ecosystem Guiding Principles, Design Principles, Decentralized Identity & Verifiable Credentials, One ID Ecosystem)
  • Chapter 7 - Trust Frameworks (Ensuring Trust in the Ecosystem, Verifiable Data Registry)

Still not sure if the Digital Identity and Biometrics Fundamentals Handbook is for you? Download the full table of contents: