Ethiopian Airlines Adopts Fyda Digital ID for Domestic Passenger Identification

Ethiopian Airlines has partnered with the Ethiopian National ID Program (NIDP) to enable the Fyda Digital ID as an official identification document for domestic air travel within the country. The collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew and the NIDP’s director, permits passengers to use the biometric-based Fyda ID from booking through to boarding.

The integration builds upon Ethiopian Airlines’ previous digital transformation efforts, which included the implementation of self-service kiosks at Bole International Airport in 2021. Under the new system, passengers can use Fyda IDs as their primary identification for flights to over 20 domestic destinations across the airline’s network.

Ethiopia’s Fyda digital ID system, developed in partnership with TECH5, emerged following the Digital ID Law enacted in March 2023. Since its inception, the system has successfully enrolled more than 9.2 million citizens, working toward an ambitious government target of registering 90 million residents by 2028. The platform employs sophisticated biometric data capture and verification technology to ensure secure identity verification.

This implementation represents a crucial component of Ethiopia’s comprehensive digital transformation agenda, which recently marked another milestone with the launch of its National Public Key Infrastructure. This infrastructure enhancement aims to strengthen digital security across all government services. NIDP officials have highlighted the integration of Fyda with air travel as a significant advancement in expanding the digital ID system’s practical applications throughout the country.

Looking ahead, Ethiopian Airlines anticipates that the new identification system will significantly enhance passenger processing efficiency, minimize wait times, and bolster security measures across its domestic routes. The airline has confirmed that the digital ID verification process will be seamlessly incorporated into existing check-in and security protocols, maintaining strict compliance with aviation security requirements while optimizing operational efficiency.

Sources: Ethiopian Monitor

—
October 30, 2024 – by Ali Nassar-Smith