Digital Identities and Contactless Travel: A New Era Begins in Aviation
Traditional passport checks, long queues, the rush to find your boarding pass… All of these are gradually becoming things of the past. As of 2025, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have launched revolutionary projects to digitalize and make the travel experience contactless. This transformation is not merely a technological upgrade; it represents a systemic evolution in terms of travel security, efficiency, and user experience.
In this article, we explore Digital Travel Credentials (DTC), One ID, biometric systems, and the implications of this transformation for both passengers and the aviation industry.
ICAO’s Vision for Digital Travel Credentials (DTC)
In early 2025, ICAO published an official guide defining the Digital Travel Credential (DTC) system with the following statement:
“The DTC is a digital extension of the physical passport. It is issued electronically before travel, can be carried on a mobile device, and can be verified through biometric systems.”
(ICAO, High-Level Guidance on DTC, January 2025)
According to this document:
- The traveler’s identity information and biometric data will be securely stored in the digital credential.
- Identity verification will be conducted electronically before the flight, expediting border crossings.
- Identification can be verified without the need to show physical documents.
Thus, passengers will be able to check-in and cross borders using only the digital credential stored on their mobile phones, without presenting physical documents.
The guide also highlights the “DTC-1” pilot program conducted in Finland, where average border crossing times were reduced to approximately eight seconds, aiming to maximize user satisfaction.
IATA’s Contribution: One ID and Travel Pass
At the “Aviation Security Leaders Week” event held in Sydney on March 19, 2025, IATA introduced the “One ID” project:
“One ID enables passengers to complete all airport processes using only biometric recognition.”
(IATA, March 19, 2025, Sydney Press Release)
The goals of One ID include:
- Using just your face for check-in, baggage drop-off, security, and boarding,
- Progressing without presenting a passport or boarding pass,
- Saving up to 30% of time during airport procedures.
Additionally, through IATA’s “Travel Pass” application, health data (such as test results and vaccination certificates) can be securely shared digitally.
Privacy and Security: What Happens to Our Data?
At the core of digital identity verification are biometric recognition systems such as facial recognition, retina scanning, and fingerprint identification. Facial recognition technology, in particular, is designed to comply with ICAO’s Doc 9303 technical standards, ensuring it can be integrated worldwide.
The first question arises: “What will happen to our biometric data?”
IATA provides a clear answer:
“The passenger’s biometric data is stored only on local devices for the flight duration. Third-party access is not possible.”
(IATA Knowledge Hub, 2025)
Data is managed in compliance with the world’s strictest data protection laws, such as GDPR, PIPEDA, and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
Some countries plan to use blockchain technology to enhance security, particularly to ensure data integrity and transparency.
In short, your biometric data is used only for the flight duration and then deleted.
Which Countries Have Implemented It?
Several countries have begun testing these systems following ICAO and IATA standards:
- Singapore (Changi Airport): Passport-free biometric passage.
- Netherlands (Schiphol Airport): Fully integrated biometric tunnels.
- Qatar (Hamad International Airport): Digital health verification via Travel Pass.
- Finland: DTC-1 pilot program with ICAO.
- USA (CBP): Integration of facial recognition into e-Gate systems.
What About Türkiye?
Türkiye has taken determined steps to align with ICAO’s digital transformation vision. Through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (SHGM), Türkiye initiated its “Digital Transformation Project in Civil Aviation” in 2024, which includes:
- Digitizing licensing, examination, and certification processes,
- Launching biometric system trials at Istanbul Airport,
- Planning infrastructures compatible with ICAO’s DTC standards.
SHGM’s vision is “positioning Türkiye as a regional technology and innovation hub in digital aviation.” (SHGM Dijital Dönüşüm Vizyonu, 2024)
A Digital Gateway to the Future
ICAO’s launch of the digital identity and contactless processing initiative marks the beginning of a new era for the aviation sector. This move toward digital transformation is setting the new standard for faster, safer, and more personalized travel experiences.
In the coming years:
- Digital identities will replace physical passports,
- Contact-based procedures at airports will be minimized,
- International travel will become more “mobile” and “personalized.”
Perhaps in the near future, a conversation at the airport will go like this:
“Your passport, please?”
– “I don’t have it, but here’s my face… and a smile!”
Digital identities will not only simplify our travel experience but will also completely redefine it.
References
IATA (March 2025). Press Release – One ID Announced at Sydney Aviation Leaders Week.
https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/2025-releases/2025-03-19-01
IATA (2024). IATA Travel Pass Overview.
https://www.iata.org/en/programs/passenger/travel-pass/
IATA (2025). Knowledge Hub: What You Need to Know About Digital Identity & Biometrics.
https://www.iata.org/en/publications/newsletters/iata-knowledge-hub/
ICAO (January 2025). High-Level Guidance: Explaining the ICAO Digital Travel Credentials.
https://www.icao.int/Security/FAL/TRIP/Documents/High%20Level%20Guidance%20explaining%20ICAO%20DTC.pdf
IDEMIA. (June 2022). IDEMIA extends its presence at Singapore Changi Airport with multi-biometric frictionless technology. https://www.idemia.com/press-release/idemia-extends-its-presence-singapore-changi-airport-multi-biometric-frictionless-technology-2022-06-07
SHGM (2024). Sivil Havacılıkta Dijital Dönüşüm Projesi – Corporate Disclosure.
https://web.shgm.gov.tr/tr/kurumsal-projeler/6625-sivil-havacilikta-dijital-donusum-projesi
Pictures: Unsplash, IDEMIA
