Wednesday, March 19, 2025
International Air Transport Association (IATA) urges rapid adoption of digital identity to enhance global aviation security, efficiency, and passenger experience.
IATA Calls for Swift Adoption of Digital Identity to Strengthen Aviation Security
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is urging the rapid adoption of digital identity technologies to enhance aviation security and operational efficiency. This initiative, supported by key government and industry stakeholders at the Sydney Leaders Week Conference, highlights the growing need for Verifiable Credentials (VC) and Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) in the aviation sector.
Industry and Government Collaboration for a Secure Future
The Sydney Leaders Week, hosted by Qantas, has brought together industry experts and government representatives from Australia, Canada, China, New Zealand, the UK, and the US. The discussions have emphasized the critical role of digital identity in aviation security and its transformative potential in key areas, including:
- Enhanced Document Integrity: Mitigating fraud risks and preventing unauthorized access.
- Global Trust and Interoperability: Enabling secure, cross-border identity verification.
- Operational Efficiency: Streamlining document verification, improving passenger experience, optimizing regulatory oversight, and ensuring efficient resource allocation.
Advancing Digital Identity Integration in Aviation Security
Aviation security leaders at the conference outlined essential steps for governments to accelerate the industry’s digital transformation:
- Rapid Technology Integration: Implement VC and DID technologies into national and international security frameworks, aligning with ICAO Annex 17 and Aircraft Operator Security Programs (AOSP).
- Strategic Digital ID Deployment: Incorporate aviation digital identity solutions into national digital strategies to enhance international cooperation.
- Investment in Capacity Building: Allocate resources to equip industry stakeholders with the necessary knowledge and infrastructure for seamless adoption.
- Enhanced Stakeholder Engagement: Drive awareness and industry-wide adoption of digital identity solutions through education and targeted outreach initiatives.
IATA’s One ID Initiative and the Future of Secure Travel
To support these efforts, IATA is championing the One ID initiative, a global standard that enables passengers to verify their travel documents before departure. This system leverages biometric recognition instead of physical documents, ensuring security and efficiency while maintaining privacy and regulatory compliance.
Additionally, IATA is leading the Aviation Security Trust Framework, which focuses on regulatory alignment, cross-sector collaboration, and robust infrastructure to maximize the benefits of digital identity in aviation.
With digital identity technologies gaining traction, IATA and its partners are working to build a safer, more efficient, and globally connected aviation security framework that benefits passengers, airlines, and governments alike.
“Global cooperation keeps flying secure. Adopting Verifiable Credentials and Decentralized Identifiers standards is a natural next step in reinforcing security, trust, and efficiency. Every aviation stakeholder wants flying to be even more secure—which crosses geopolitical divides. The technology is ready and proven. We now need to take the momentum of this meeting and work towards obtaining a recommendation at the upcoming ICAO assembly later this year,” said Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President, Operations, Safety and Security.
