The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released its Contactless Travel Directory. This service will assist in scaling and increasing the adoption of contactless travel solutions. The Directory will provide a matchmaking service to help airlines identify and offer contactless travel.
What is it?
The IATA have been responsible for the advancement of aviation technology for over 340 airlines. The Association recently introduced a Sustainable Aviation Fuel Registry to encourage the shift towards net zero commissions by 2050.
Contactless travel uses biometric solutions which allow travellers to progress through the travel process without relying on paper documentation, such as passports and boarding passes. IATA believes that contactless travel can make the process more efficient, especially when it comes to bag drop, lounge access, security access, security screening, and boarding.
Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President, Operations, Safety and Security, said:
The release of the Contactless Travel Directory will make it easier for airlines to expand biometric service opportunities for their customers. As travellers expect ever greater efficiency, biometric recognition technology is taking on a growing role in facilitating travel. This Directory, along with IATA’s One ID initiative, aims to accelerate that transition with critical data and global standards.
Key features
Contactless Travel Directory will include three key features. These are:
- A single reference point for airlines to determine the availability of biometric travel touch-points across their network.
- Traveller eligibility information by location, so airlines know which travellers will be eligible for contactless services using biometric identification.
- Technical protocols that airlines need to connect with other airline or airport biometric touch-points.
Digital services will be provided by Airware with identity management providers IDEMIA and iPassport. These companies will be the first to demonstrate the use of the Directory.
This year’s Passenger Terminal Expo, taking place in Madrid this week, will be testing the first use of contactless travel. Delegates will be able to enrol during check in for fictitious flights between the UK and Spain using the WorldJet Airline app. After this, the testers will pass through the biometric touch-points at both Airware’s and IMEDIA’s booths, simulating a real airport.
Do you think biometric services will benefit travel? Let us know in the comments!
