The International Air Transport Association announced on Apr. 8 that recent proof-of-concept trials demonstrated the air transport industry’s readiness to implement contactless travel using digital identity and biometric verification.
This development could lead to smoother and more secure passenger journeys by reducing the need for repeated paper document checks. The association said these advances rely on interoperability between different systems, allowing passengers to use various digital wallets, such as Apple Wallet and India’s Digi Yatra, across multiple airlines and airports.
According to IATA Director General Willie Walsh, “We have proven that digital identity for international travel works securely and efficiently. For travelers to benefit from this important modernization, governments must accelerate efforts to issue and accept Digital Travel Credentials (DTCs)—secure digital versions of passports. The result will be stronger security, smoother journeys, and greater efficiency.” Walsh also said, “Secure digital versions of passports—Digital Travel Credentials (DTCs)—will make travel more secure and more efficient. By sharing identity data in advance, checks can be completed earlier, reducing the need for document checks at airports and cutting queues. Industry collaboration has shown digital identity works in practice. The next step is for governments to put the frameworks in place to integrate digital identity into global travel processes.”
The trials showed that wallet-based solutions can work with both global and national programs; users can share their data ahead of time with consent; biometric verification can replace manual checks at airport touchpoints; a single digital identity may be reused throughout a journey; and systems operated by airlines, airports, or governments can function together seamlessly.
To reach global adoption of these technologies, IATA calls on governments worldwide to prepare legal frameworks for issuing DTCs as part of national programs; ensure border control systems are ready to accept DTCs from other countries; and collaborate internationally so these credentials are interoperable at scale.
Three separate proofs-of-concept were conducted: one involving Japan Airlines with transfers through Tokyo Haneda Airport toward Europe; another with Air New Zealand operating between Auckland and Hong Kong using an airline-managed wallet solution; a third demonstrating interoperability between India’s Digi Yatra program alongside international wallets during IndiGo flights from Bengaluru.
The International Air Transport Association works to enrich the world through a safe, secure and sustainable air transport industry according to its official website. It includes about 360 member airlines accounting for over 80% of global air traffic according to the official website. The organization seeks to represent, lead and serve the airline industry according to its official website, engages in advocacy partnerships globally as outlined on its official site, maintains offices worldwide including headquarters in Montreal as indicated online, while Willie Walsh has served as director general per its official website.
Broader adoption depends on coordinated action among industry stakeholders as well as regulatory bodies worldwide.
