The International Air Transport Association says further tests have demonstrated that contactless biometric enabled international travel is already achievable with digital identity replacing paper documentation.
IATA has published the results of several digital identity Proofs of Concept completed with the support of airlines airports technology providers and governments across Europe and Asia Pacific.
The successful Proofs of Concept have Working together as part of the IATA Strategic Partnerships Programme the partners have tested how digital identity stored in mobile wallets and biometric verification can support seamless passenger journeys without repeated paper document checks.
Importantly the Proofs of Concept have demonstrated that interoperability of systems is sufficiently advanced to support contactless journeys involving multiple carriers and using different digital identity wallets including Digital ID in Apple Wallet for US passport holders and Google ID Pass for UK and US passport holders as well as national digital identity programmes such as India Digi Yatra. This has included enabling passengers to securely share identity data in advance to facilitate their travel. The Proofs of Concept were designed using the IATA Contactless Travel Directory IATA One ID standards and ISO OpenID and W3C international standards.
Wallet based digital identity solutions have worked including global and national wallets which were successfully used in live airline environments. Digital identity data has been securely shared ahead of travel with user consent enabling pre travel checks and reducing repeated document handling. Biometric verification has replaced manual paper document checks at airport touchpoints allowing passengers to move through checkpoints securely and seamlessly. A single digital identity has been reused across the journey enabling a seamless contactless tap and go experience. Interoperability has been achieved across borders enabling systems operated by airlines airports and governments to work seamlessly together.
Willie Walsh shared “We have proven that digital identity for international travel works securely and efficiently. For travellers to benefit from this important modernisation governments must accelerate efforts to issue and accept Digital Travel Credentials secure digital versions of passports. The result will be stronger security smoother journeys and greater efficiency.”
“Secure digital versions of passports Digital Travel Credentials 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.”
