The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has published the outcomes of several digital‑identity proof‑of‑concept trials carried out together with airlines, airports, technology partners and government agencies across Europe and the Asia‑Pacific region.
The trials showed that a biometric‑enabled, wallet‑based digital identity can fully replace traditional paper passports for international journeys, allowing passengers to move through airports without presenting physical documents.
Key findings include:
- Digital identity stored in mobile wallets (including Apple Wallet, Google Wallet and national solutions such as India’s Digi Yatra) works reliably in live airline environments.
- Travelers can share selected identity data in advance, with their consent, enabling pre‑travel checks and reducing repetitive document handling.
- Biometric verification at checkpoints can substitute manual passport checks, creating a seamless “tap‑and‑go” experience.
- A single digital identity can be reused throughout the entire journey, even when multiple carriers and airports are involved.
- Interoperability across borders and different technology providers has been demonstrated, proving that systems operated by airlines, airports and governments can communicate securely.
From pilot projects to worldwide implementation, IATA stresses that governments must take three decisive steps:
- Issue Digital Travel Credentials (DTCs): Establish the legal, operational and technical framework to create secure digital versions of passports.
- Accept DTCs: Ensure border‑control, visa and travel‑authorization systems can verify digital credentials issued by other states.
- Plan for scale: Collaborate with industry partners and international organisations to enable global, interoperable use of DTCs.
Three specific PoCs were carried out:
- Japan Airlines – Tokyo Haneda → Hong Kong → European hub: Passengers uploaded identity data to a digital wallet before travel, allowing biometric processing at departure and transfer points and demonstrating cross‑carrier “tap‑and‑go”.
- Air New Zealand – Auckland → Hong Kong: An airline‑specific wallet was used for data sharing during booking and check‑in, enabling remote enrolment and contact‑less processing at airport and customs.
- IndiGo – Bengaluru: Showed that national programmes (Digi Yatra) and international wallet credentials can operate together within a single journey.
The trials involved a range of digital wallets (Air New Zealand Wallet, Apple Wallet, Digi Yatra, Face Express, Google Wallet, Multipaz, SITA Wallet) and technology providers such as Amadeus, Branchspace, Hopae, NEC, SICPA and SITA, all supported by the IATA Contactless Travel Directory.
Source: www.iata.org
Read also: Lefkada Yacht Charters Gain Momentum as Ionian Sailing Demand Rises