The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has unveiled its Contactless Travel Directory, designed to expedite the adoption and scaling of contactless travel solutions across the aviation industry.
This new Directory will serve as a matchmaking platform, helping airlines identify opportunities to implement contactless travel options at specific airports, including collaborations with partner airlines.
Contactless travel leverages interoperable biometric solutions, allowing travelers to seamlessly navigate the airport experience without the need for traditional paper documentation like passports or boarding passes. Key processes that can benefit from contactless solutions include check-in, bag drop, lounge access, security screening, and boarding.
Key Features of the Contactless Travel Directory:
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Centralized Access: A single reference point for airlines to locate biometric touchpoints across their network, enhancing the ease of integration.
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Traveler Eligibility Information: Airlines can access details about traveler eligibility based on nationality, passport compatibility, and age, ensuring smooth biometric service implementation.
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Technical Integration: Provides the necessary technical protocols to enable seamless connections between airlines and airport biometric touchpoints.
Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President of Operations, Safety, and Security, emphasized the importance of the Directory in advancing the industry’s biometric offerings: “The launch of the Contactless Travel Directory will significantly simplify the process for airlines to expand biometric services for their passengers. As traveler expectations for efficiency rise, biometric recognition technology is increasingly integral to improving the travel experience. Together with IATA’s One ID initiative, this Directory will drive faster adoption by providing essential data and establishing global standards.”
At this year’s Passenger Terminal Expo in Madrid, digital services provider Airware, in collaboration with identity management leaders IDEMIA and iPassport, will demonstrate the practical use of the Directory. Delegates can experience a simulated journey, enrolling for fictitious flights between the UK and Spain via the WorldJet Airline App, and seamlessly passing through biometric checkpoints at both Airware and IDEMIA booths – mirroring the experience of a real airport setting.
This demonstration marks a significant step forward in showcasing how the Contactless Travel Directory will streamline and enhance the passenger journey worldwide.
