IATA is setting standards and developing tools like training and publishing the One ID Handbook to take airlines, airports and governments a step closer to “transforming passenger processing using digital identity technologies”.
The handbook aims to help build a “solid trust framework across global boundaries” and benefits include a “seamless and contactless journey”, a “cost-effective and productive operation, “secure and facilitated” border management, and a “scaleable and interoperable system for the industry”.
Speaking at the recent Aviation Festival Asia, Shu Hui Bian, regional manager, customer experience and facilitation, IATA, said training on One ID: Digital Identity and Biometrics Fundamentals is being offered in Singapore, Beijing and Miami this year. These courses run for four days, across 32 hours in all.
According to IATA, 41 participants from seven countries have taken this course in the past four years.
For passengers, their credentials needed for travel such as passports, visa, etc can be stored in their digital wallets; they can share those credentials with other parties such as airlines, airports and governments with consent in advance before arriving at the airport; complete the process remotely, go through touch points with biometric recognition only; and use the same credentials for the next journey.
IATA One ID standards status shows that the handbook is scheduled to be available in March – digital admissibility is planned for 2024 while dates for contactless travel and biometric handling have yet to be confirmed.
Shu commented: “The key principles of One ID are that passengers own and control their data, can opt in to advance share digital identity information, have a biometric-enabled end-to-end digital experience, that verifying parties request only the minimum data and passengers must have the ability to opt out at any stage for manual processing.”
