The trials were conducted with the support of airlines, airports, technology providers and governments across Europe and Asia-Pacific, as part of the IATA Strategic Partnerships Program. The PoCs assessed how digital identity stored in mobile wallets, combined with biometric verification, can enable seamless passenger journeys without repeated document checks.
The results confirmed that interoperability between systems has reached a level that supports contactless travel across multiple carriers and jurisdictions. Passengers were able to use different digital identity wallets, including Digital ID in Apple Wallet for US passport holders, Google ID Pass for UK and US passport holders, as well as national programmes such as Digi Yatra in India.
The trials also demonstrated the ability for passengers to securely share identity data in advance, allowing pre-travel verification and reducing the need for document handling at airports. Biometric verification was used to replace manual checks at key touchpoints, enabling a continuous “tap-and-go” passenger experience.
The PoCs were developed using the IATA Contactless Travel Directory, IATA One ID standards, and international frameworks including ISO, OpenID and W3C standards.
Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA, said: “We have proven that digital identity for international travel works securely and efficiently. For travelers to benefit from this important modernization, governments must accelerate efforts to issue and accept Digital Travel Credentials (DTCs) – secure digital versions of passports. The result will be stronger security, smoother journeys, and greater efficiency,”
The findings indicate that a single digital identity can be reused throughout the journey, allowing passengers to enrol remotely, share only the required data, and complete travel processes without presenting physical passports or boarding passes.
To support global adoption, IATA highlighted the need for coordinated government action in three areas: establishing frameworks to issue Digital Travel Credentials, ensuring border and visa systems can accept and verify them, and enabling interoperability at scale through collaboration with industry and international organisations.
“Secure digital versions of passports – Digital Travel Credentials (DTCs) – will make travel more secure and more efficient. By sharing identity data in advance, checks can be completed earlier, reducing the need for document checks at airports and cutting queues. Industry collaboration has shown digital identity works in practice. The next step is for governments to put the frameworks in place to integrate digital identity into global travel processes,” added Walsh.
The PoCs included multiple use cases. One trial involving Japan Airlines tested a multi-leg international journey with biometric processing at departure and transfer points. Another, led by Air New Zealand, explored airline-managed digital identity through booking and check-in processes. A third, conducted with IndiGo in Bengaluru, demonstrated interoperability between national and global digital identity systems within a single passenger journey.
The trials also involved several digital wallets and technology providers, including Air New Zealand Wallet, Apple Wallet, Digi Yatra, Face Express by NEC, Google Wallet, Multipaz and SITA Wallet, as well as technology partners such as Amadeus, Branchspace, Hopae, NEC, SICPA and SITA.
Tags: Willie Walsh, IATA
