Alerts Sign-up
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.
