The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released new industry standards which will make the dream of arriving at airports ready-to-fly one step closer to reality.
Airlines are currently working with IATA to digitalize the passenger experience at airports with contactless biometric-enabled processes. This process is part of the One ID Initiative, which introduces the possibility for passengers to further streamline their journey. This contactless method is already used in several airports, where travelers do not have to deal with paper documentation during some airport processes as their boarding pass is linked to a biometric identifier.
However, in most cases, passengers would still have to show paper documents at a check-in desk or boarding gate.
The new Digitalization of Admissibility standard by IATA will enable travelers to avoid all on-airport document checks, advancing the realization of One ID.
Travelers will be able to create a verified digital identity using their airline’s app, send proof of all required documentation to destination authorities, get an ‘approval of admissibility’ in their digital passport app, and share the verified credential with their airline.
Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety and Security, is confident that this option will be very popular for travelers. Indeed, the most recent IATA Global Passenger survey found that 83% of passengers are willing to share immigration information for expedited processing.
Passengers want technology to make travel simpler. By enabling passengers to prove their admissibility to their airline before they get to the airport, we are taking a major step forward.
Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety and Security
According to Louise Cole, IATA’s Head Customer Experience and Facilitation, this process will be both convenient and secure as the standards take into account the protection of passengers’ data and ensure that travel remains accessible to all.
