IATA calls for accelerated adoption of digital ID to improve security, operational efficiency

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has issued a call to speed up the adoption of digital identity technologies in order to improve aviation security and operational efficiency. 

IATA, which represents roughly 340 airlines, said its position was supported by government and aviation security leaders attending the Sydney Leaders Week Conference last week that included representatives from the United States, the United Kingdom, China, New Zealand, Canada and Australia.

"Global cooperation keeps flying secure,” said Nick Careen, senior vice president of operations, safety and security for IATA. “Adopting verifiable credentials and decentralized identifiers standards is a natural next step in reinforcing security, trust and efficiency.”

According to IATA, digital identity can benefit the air industry by providing stronger document integrity, building global trust and providing operational efficiency.

The organization also called for governments to fast-track technology integration into “national and international security frameworks” in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 17 and Aircraft Operator Security Programs. According to IATA, this will help prepare industry stakeholders for implementation, spread awareness and promote adoption through outreach and education efforts.

“Every aviation stakeholder wants flying to be even more secure—which crosses geopolitical divides,” Careen said. “The technology is ready and proven. We now need to take the momentum of this meeting and work towards obtaining a recommendation at the upcoming ICAO assembly later this year.”

IATA said it is using its One ID initiative to promote digital ID standards, allowing travelers to verify their documents ahead of departure times and use biometric recognition as opposed to physical travel documentation in airports. One ID works in conjunction with ICAO’s Digital Travel Credential. Additionally, the organization is moving forward with its Aviation Security Trust Framework, which prioritizes regulatory alignment, cross-sector collaboration and more.

IATA's latest directive also coincides with other industry moves in the digital ID space.

Bahrain recently integrated public key infrastructure technology with its national identity card, enabling more seamless travel. The upgraded card’s chip includes an activation meant for travel, according to a release.

At The Phocuswright Conference in November, Shane O'Flaherty, global director of travel and hospitality at Microsoft, Vikas Bhola, CEO of NeoKe—a PhocusWire Hot 25 Travel Startup for 2023—and Gillian Jones, identity and access management lead for Condatis, joined Mike Coletta, senior manager of research and innovation for Phocuswright, for a panel discussion on self-sovereign identity and digital wallets.

Watch the full conversation below.