- The 2026 survey drew over 10,000 responses from more than 200 countries.
- 58pc experienced biometrics in the past 12 months and 87pc were satisfied.
- 78pc would share biometrics to skip document checks.
- 49pc have used AI for travel planning.
- 43pc were discouraged by immigration requirements, up from 33pc in 2025.
IATA’s 2026 Global Passenger Survey has found that biometrics are becoming mainstream and interest in digital passports is growing. The survey drew over 10,000 responses from more than 200 countries. Nearly six in ten passengers reported experiencing biometrics at least once in the past 12 months, up from 50pc in 2025 and 24 percentage points higher than 2022. Of those who experienced biometrics, 87pc reported satisfaction.
Some 78pc of travellers said they would share biometric information to skip showing a passport or boarding pass at checkpoints, and 75pc of those prefer to register once in advance. A total of 84pc are interested in using a digital passport for online check-in, and 82pc are interested in sharing a digital passport at booking for personalised services. Leading concerns about biometrics are data breaches at 59pc, information sharing with other organisations at 49pc and lack of clarity on handling at 41pc.
Almost half of travellers at 49pc have used AI for travel planning. Immigration requirements discouraged 43pc of passengers from visiting a destination, up from 33pc in 2025, with 53pc of those citing process complexity. Some 86pc are likely to share immigration information digitally before departure, and 60pc prefer to apply for a visa online compared with 25pc who prefer a consulate.
Nick Careen shared “Passengers are embracing technology to make travel easier. AI is becoming a mainstream travel planning tool, while biometrics and digital identity are creating a faster and more seamless airport experience. Yet many travelers continue to face barriers from complex immigration and visa processes.”
