SICPA, in partnership with IATA and industry partners, is leading the way to a fully digital air travel experience

During this PoC, two travellers managed their entire journey - from booking flights to boarding - using digital wallets that contained digital passports, company IDs, and frequent flyer credentials. Utilising biometric identification, they navigated airport processes in a live environment without the need to repeatedly present physical documents. The PoC showcased the ability to integrate seven different verifiable credentials, including ePassports copies, live biometric images, visas, and boarding passes, using two separate digital wallets. A trust registry was employed to verify the credentials' trustworthiness. SICPA supported the development of this PoC by creating and issuing verifiable credentials to two different wallets (Neoke and NEC), powered by the SICPA Digital Trust Suite platform. Our focus was on adhering to selected standards used throughout the PoC and, above all, demonstrating real interoperability

SICPA, in collaboration with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and key industry partners, has successfully demonstrated that the future of air travel is digital. This marks a significant milestone in making fully digital travel a reality. As the industry embraces digital identity and biometric technology, we are moving closer to delivering a seamless, secure, and efficient travel experience for passengers.

• Digital Identity and Biometrics Prove Themselves: The PoC illustrated that a secure, fully digital travel experience, enhanced by biometric identification in harmonization with existing airline/airport processes is possible for those who prefer it. This allowed the passengers to move smoothly through airport processes like check-in, baggage drop, security, immigration, and boarding - without needing to show physical documents. 
   
• Seamless Integration of Verifiable Credentials (VCs): Industry standards (One ID) for digital travel were validated, with live biometric and boarding pass credentials successfully integrated. A Visa Verifiable Credential (VC) was used to facilitate paperless document verification. 
   
• Interoperability and Flexibility: The PoC demonstrated that digital credentials from multiple issuers and digital wallets could be used seamlessly across travel stages and international borders, showcasing the technology’s adaptability. 
   

• Trusted Issuer Registry Tested: A critical component of the PoC was the verification of credentials issued by trusted entities through an open ecosystem. This successful test underscores the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors for broader digital adoption. 

   

"Thank you to SICPA for their collaboration in demonstrating a seamless fully digital travel experience powered by digital identity and biometrics has moved from theory to proven reality. The challenge now is to make this more efficient travel experience available to all travelers. There is good reason for optimism. Global standards (One ID) are already in place to support digital identity and government efforts to adopt digital travel credentials based on ICAO standards are picking up pace. Europe is already planning to issue Digital Identity Wallets to citizens and residents by 2027." Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety, and Security

The PoC demonstrated that IATA’s Modern Airline Retailing vision is on its way to delivering a transparent, personalised shopping experience for air travelers, converting legacy ticketing processes to modern Offer and Order Standards and putting decentralized digital identity to work to enable dynamic and trusted open ecosystem at scale as well as integrated digital experiences for the travelers.