The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is urging the rapid integration of digital identity technologies to bolster aviation security and improve operational efficiency. This call for action was supported by leading government and industry stakeholders at the Sydney Leaders Week Conference, who stressed the importance of collaboration in implementing Verifiable Credentials (VC) and Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs).
The Sydney Leaders Week event, hosted by Qantas, brings together aviation experts and government representatives from across the globe, including Australia, Canada, China, New Zealand, the UK, and the US.
It is widely acknowledged that digital identity technologies offer significant advantages for aviation security, including:
- Enhanced Document Integrity: By reducing fraud and unauthorized access, digital identity ensures that travel documents are legitimate and trustworthy.
- Global Trust: Secure, cross-border, interoperable identity verification builds confidence in international travel.
- Operational Efficiency: Streamlining document verification enhances the passenger experience, improves regulatory oversight, and optimizes resource allocation at airports.
“Global cooperation is key to maintaining secure air travel. Adopting Verifiable Credentials and Decentralized Identifiers is a logical next step in strengthening security, trust, and efficiency in aviation. Every aviation stakeholder wants flying to be even more secure, which transcends geopolitical boundaries. The technology is proven and ready. Now, we must leverage the momentum from this conference and work towards securing a recommendation at the upcoming ICAO Assembly later this year,” said Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President of Operations, Safety, and Security.
At the conference, aviation security leaders outlined crucial actions for governments to accelerate the industry’s digital transformation:
- Fast-Track Technology Integration: Incorporate VC and DID technologies into national and international security frameworks, aligning with ICAO Annex 17 and Aircraft Operator Security Programs (AOSP).
- Prioritize Aviation Digital ID Use Cases: Integrate digital identity solutions into national strategies to enhance global cooperation and improve aviation security.
- Invest in Capacity Building: Allocate resources to ensure industry stakeholders are equipped with the knowledge and infrastructure necessary for seamless digital identity adoption.
- Increase Stakeholder Engagement: Promote industry-wide awareness and adoption of digital identity solutions through targeted education and outreach.
- Industry’s Role in Supporting Government Adoption
IATA’s One ID initiative is working to foster globally interoperable digital identity standards, allowing passengers to verify their travel documents before departure and seamlessly move through airports using biometric recognition instead of physical documents. One ID aligns with ICAO’s Digital Travel Credential to ensure both security and efficiency while maintaining privacy and adhering to global regulations.
Additionally, IATA is advancing its Aviation Security Trust Framework, which emphasizes the need for regulatory alignment, cross-sector collaboration, and robust infrastructure to realize the full benefits of digital identity in global aviation.
By working together, governments and the aviation industry can ensure a more secure, efficient, and future-ready air transport system.
