Canada’s major airports and airlines are pressing the federal government to move faster on enabling biometric and digital ID systems for passenger screening, warning that the country is falling behind international peers. The Canadian Airports Council (CAC) and the National Airlines Council of Canada are calling for regulatory changes to permit phone-based digital IDs and facial recognition to speed movement from check-in to boarding.
The request urges Ottawa to align with countries that have already digitized identity verification, highlighting risks that Canadian aviation could be left behind as other regions push toward seamless travel. Industry leaders argue the technology can reduce congestion, citing the long queues that have challenged airports since the pandemic.
Transport Canada and Public Safety Canada began reviewing digital ID options in the wake of COVID-19, but policy development has lagged. By contrast, the European Union is preparing to introduce its biometric Entry/Exit System, which will use facial recognition and fingerprints for travelers from outside the bloc. U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s “Simplified Arrival” program has already deployed facial recognition widely, including at preclearance sites in Canada.
The Canadian industry says the obstacle is regulatory rather than technological. Air Canada has already demonstrated viability through its digital identification pilot, which allows passengers to scan their passport and take a selfie in the airline’s mobile app to use for boarding on select domestic flights from Vancouver International Airport and for entry into Maple Leaf Lounges. The CAC has called for a clear federal framework on privacy, data retention, and opt-out provisions to support such deployments.
International comparisons underscore Canada’s slow pace. In the U.S., citizens can opt out of biometric boarding, while non-U.S. nationals have data stored for longer periods. The EU’s program is slated for launch later in 2025, with five-year retention for traveler data. Canada has yet to finalize how long biometric data would be stored or whether participation would be voluntary.
The outcome of this lobbying effort could shape Canada’s digital identity ecosystem for the next decade. Vendors offering privacy-preserving solutions are positioned to benefit if Ottawa sets requirements aligned with principles of data minimization and strong governance.
Sources: The Logic, Air Canada, CBP
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
