The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has awarded its first One ID certifications to Air New Zealand and Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), confirming that their use of digital identity and biometrics meets the association’s global standards. The certifications were presented at the IATA World Passenger Symposium in Macao.
One ID is IATA’s set of industry standards for using digital identity and biometrics across the passenger journey. Under the model, travelers confirm their identity and travel documents before reaching the airport, then pass through checkpoints using facial recognition instead of repeatedly showing a passport and boarding pass. IATA’s proofs of concept earlier this year tested digital identity wallets across carriers, airports and borders.
Organizations can be certified in one or more of four areas: Digitalization of Admissibility, Contactless Travel, Biometric Handling, and Privacy, Consent, and Governance. The certification is open to airlines, airports and technology providers, and Air New Zealand and HKIA were certified in every area that applies to their operations. Certified organizations will be listed publicly in a planned IATA One ID trust registry.
HKIA’s Flight Token is a self-service biometric identification system that lets departing passengers pass key checkpoints using facial recognition. More than 80 percent of departing passengers at the airport are eligible to use it across every departure checkpoint, and more than 93 million passengers have used it since its 2021 launch.
“Achieving One ID Certification confirms that HKIA’s digital identity and biometric processes align with IATA’s global standards,” said Vivian Cheung, CEO of Airport Authority Hong Kong, which said it is working to expand Flight Token beyond Hong Kong.
Air New Zealand ran a digital identity trial on its Auckland to Hong Kong route earlier this year. “Our trial with Hong Kong International Airport showed how digital identity could work across borders, reducing the need for documentation and queuing, but it also showed that customers can trust us to keep their information safe,” said Jeremy O’Brien, the airline’s chief customer and digital officer.
“Digital identity can make travel much simpler for passengers, but only if everyone involved in the journey trusts how others verify identity, handle biometric data, and protect privacy,” said Nick Careen, IATA’s senior vice president for operations, safety and security.
IATA said the certification is part of wider work that includes pressing governments to issue and accept Digital Travel Credentials, its Contactless Travel Directory for connecting airlines, airports and border authorities, and Timatic AutoCheck, which automates travel document checks.
Sources: IATA
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
