The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has proven the feasibility of a fully digital air travel experience, marking a major milestone in the airline industry’s journey towards seamless digitization.
The demonstration, conducted on a round trip between Hong Kong and Tokyo, was a success, with two travelers using different digital wallets and travel credentials in a real airport environment.
IATA worked with a number of partners including Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong International Airport, Narita International Airport, technology providers such as Branchspace, Facephi, NEC, Neoke, Northern Block and SICPA. The trial, held on October 21st and 22nd, aimed to demonstrate the efficiency of a digital travel system that leverages digital ID and biometrics, eliminating the need for passengers to repeatedly present physical travel documents. You can now complete your trip without any problems.
The proof of concept (PoC) tested real-world scenarios based on a previous PoC conducted in a controlled environment in 2023. In this latest trial, two passengers used digital wallets containing important travel credentials such as digital passports and company IDs. , and mileage credentials – manage your journey from start to finish. This includes receiving personalized offers, booking flights, checking in, securing a visa, and receiving a boarding pass, all without traditional document verification. Instead, they used biometrics throughout the airport process, including bag drop, security checks, and boarding.
Effective use of digital travel credentials
The PoC incorporated seven verifiable credentials (VCs), including e-passport copies, live biometric images, visa copies, corporate IDs, frequent fliers, purchase orders, and boarding passes. These credentials were stored in two digital wallets and verified through a trust registry system that confirms the legitimacy of the issuer of the credentials. This trial demonstrated that digital travel credentials can be seamlessly integrated with existing airport and airline systems, providing a highly personalized, efficient and secure travel experience.
One of the key outcomes of this trial was the use of biometrics to replace traditional paper checks at various stages at the airport. This allowed travelers to smoothly pass through checkpoints and agree to share their biometric data stored in their digital wallets to complete each step of their journey.
Industry standards and interoperability
The success of the demonstration highlighted that the aviation industry is ready to adopt a fully digital travel experience. IATA’s Modern Airline Retailing Vision and One ID standard were at the core of this PoC, which demonstrated how industry-wide standards can improve customer experience while remaining aligned with existing airline and airport processes.
Critical to the success of the trial was the use of Verifiable Credentials (VC) for live biometrics and boarding pass VC, which were developed and tested this year. Additionally, Visa VC has been leveraged to demonstrate the ability to perform paperless visa checks, further simplifying the travel process. The draft technical guidance on digitalization of acceptability was also successfully used as a baseline to ensure interoperability across the system.
The two travelers successfully leveraged multiple VC issuers, validators, and wallets, demonstrating the flexibility and robustness of digital ID technology across different jurisdictions and travel stages. At both Hong Kong International Airport and Tokyo Narita Airport, the system seamlessly integrated with existing biometric systems, proving that the technology is ready for implementation in real-world travel environments.
Trusted Publisher Registry
Another important aspect of the PoC was the successful testing of the Trusted Publisher Registry. This system plays a key role in ensuring that travel credentials such as digital passports and visas are issued by trusted and verified institutions. The system’s seamless integration further demonstrates that digital credentials can be used safely and securely for international travel.
IATA emphasized the importance of developing an open ecosystem where both public and private sector credential issuers can participate to enable widespread adoption. As more countries and airlines begin to adopt digital identity systems based on International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, this will be critical to the long-term success of digital travel credentials.
IATA’s future vision
This pilot marks an important step towards the future of air travel, where digital ID and biometrics improve the passenger experience by providing a more personalized, safe and efficient journey. “A seamless, fully digital travel experience powered by digital ID and biometrics has moved from theory to proven reality,” said Nick Carine, IATA’s senior vice president of operations, safety and security.
Governments and industry players are moving rapidly to implement digital travel credentials. For example, Europe plans to issue digital identity wallets to its citizens and residents by 2027, setting the stage for digital travel systems to be used more widely in the near future.
IATA Data and Technology Hub
The Hong Kong-Tokyo demonstration experiment was developed through IATA’s Data & Technology Hub, which brings together industry partners across the travel value chain to develop new technologies and solutions for the aviation industry. The goal is to help the sector create value and overcome challenges as it transitions to a digital future.
The success of the PoC shows that the airline industry is not only ready for digital travel experiences, but ready to deliver them in the near future. With continued collaboration between airlines, airports, technology providers and governments, the future of seamless, fully digital travel is closer than ever.
