The International Air Transport Association (IATA) believes that the industry standards it has developed for passport-free travel are closer to reality if adopted worldwide.
According to an IATA release issued on 6 December 2022, the newly issued Recommended Practice on Entry Digitization will allow passengers to digitally check in at international destinations with ease and without the lengthy process of checking documents at check-in desks or boarding gates.
Under the IATA One ID initiative, associations are working with airports to digitize, enabling passengers to bypass airport processes such as boarding without producing paper documents with contactless biometric processing. But in many cases, travelers are still responsible for proving their admissibility through a physical check of passports, visas, and health certificates at the check-in desk or boarding gate.
“Digitization of Admissibility Standards One ID” will be adopted with all necessary pre-travel authorizations to avoid government checks of documents at the airport before the passengers travel.
The aim of developing the new standards is to protect passenger data and ensure that travel remains accessible globally. Travel credentials are shared only with passengers without the intervention of a middle party. Therefore, it is compatible with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and digital travel credential standards. In addition, manual processing options will also be retained so that travelers can skip digital acceptance processing.
Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President of Operations, Safety, and Security, is confident that with better data quality, streamlined resource requirements, and the identification of acceptable issues before passengers arrive at the airport, airlines and governments will benefit.
Regarding the future and purpose of Digitization of Admissibility Standards One ID, passengers can create a verified digital identity on their smartphone using an airline app. Proof of all required documents must be sent to the destination authorities before travel. After receiving digital acceptance by verifying credentials with the airline on the Digital ID/Passport app. Finally, the passenger receives confirmation that they are ready to go to the airport.
