International aviation body IATA has successfully tested a Proof of Concept (PoC) for a full digital air travel experience in partnership with Cathay Pacific.
Also involved in the test was Hong Kong International Airport, Narita International Airport, Branchspace, Facephi, NEC, Neoke, Northern Block and SICPA.
It saw a Hong Kong Tokyo round-trip take place using different digital wallets and travel credentials on October 21 and 22.
The airport elements were conducted in a “live environment”, building on an initial PoC carried out in a test environment in 2023.
Two travellers used digital wallets containing their digital passport, company ID, and frequent flyer credentials obtained personalised offers, booked a flight, obtained a visa, checked their travel documentation, checked-in and received boarding passes.
The travellers used biometric identification to manage airport processes without having to repeatedly showing their travel documents.
The journey integrated seven verifiable credentials (ePassport copy, live biometric image, visa copy, company ID, frequent flyer membership, order, and boarding pass), two digital wallets and a trust registry to verify issuers.
Nick Careen, IATA senior vice president for operations, safety, and security, said: “A seamless fully digital travel experience powered by digital identity and biometrics has moved from theory to proven reality.
“The challenge now is to make this more efficient travel experience available to all travellers. There is good reason for optimism.
“With One ID standards already in place and the expansion of Modern Airline Retailing to support digital identity with the highest levels of data privacy and protection, the industry could be ready for this in the very near future.
“Government efforts to adopt digital travel credentials based on ICAO standards are picking up pace. Europe is already planning to issue Digital Identity Wallets to citizens and residents by 2027.”
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