The ongoing facilitation conference organized by ICAO in Doha featured a keynote speech from Willie Walsh, Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Walsh highlighted the evolving expectations of passengers, emphasizing a demand for digital solutions in air travel. According to recent passenger surveys, Walsh noted that 74% of travelers prefer to move from curb to plane in no more than 45 minutes, and 85% are willing to share immigration data if it speeds up the process. Furthermore, 75% of passengers favor biometric identification over traditional checks, although there are still concerns about data security.
Walsh addressed the need for a digital identity system, describing it as vital for modernizing the flow of travel from booking to baggage claim. He stated, “There is no one stakeholder who can achieve this. It involves airlines, airports, security, immigration, ground handlers, and many more.” He emphasized the importance of setting global standards and the role of ICAO in uniting states to achieve these goals. However, he cautioned that setting standards alone is insufficient without proper implementation, urging for the removal of unnecessary complexities in current processes.
Walsh reflected on the changes in aviation over the past 25 years, noting the significant transformations in travel processes despite some areas still requiring change. He mentioned the slow pace of revolutionizing the basic process of identification checks compared to advancements such as e-gates and electronic declarations. “We must ensure interoperability of digital ID standards,” Walsh stated, highlighting the need for harmonization between EU and ICAO standards.
He addressed the roles of different stakeholders, suggesting that governments should deal directly with travelers through digital portals, an approach that gained ground during the COVID-19 pandemic. Walsh urged for regulatory harmonization to ensure that data collection practices meet legal requirements and emphasized that airlines should not be responsible for details beyond boarding authorization.
Walsh concluded by advocating for more efficient allocation of resources among stakeholders, citing the elimination of crew visa requirements as a potential area for reduction in resource burden. “And lastly, we must prioritize how each stakeholder uses its limited resources to gain the most benefit,” he said, emphasizing the importance of focus on less familiar passengers rather than airline crew.
