The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has demonstrated through a digital ID proof-of-concept that contactless international travel is feasible.
By using a digital ID stored in a smartphone’s digital wallet together with biometric authentication, travelers will be able to move seamlessly without passports or boarding passes. For global adoption, it will be necessary for governments to issue and accept Digital Travel Credentials (DTCs), and to establish the necessary systems and large-scale deployment plans in cooperation with international organizations.
Japan Airlines (JAL), Air New Zealand, and IndiGo participated in the proof-of-concept, which verified issues such as transfer itineraries, ID management via airlines’ digital wallets, and interoperability between different providers.
Interoperability between multiple airlines and different digital ID wallets—such as Apple Wallet’s Digital ID for U.S. passport holders, Google ID Pass for U.K. and U.S. passport holders, and India’s national digital ID program “Digi Yatra”—was also confirmed.
Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA, commented, “We have demonstrated that digital IDs for international travel can function safely and efficiently. For travelers to benefit from this modernization, governments need to accelerate the issuance and acceptance of DTCs. As a result, enhanced security, smoother journeys, and improved efficiency will be achieved.”
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