The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is urging the swift implementation of digital identity technologies to improve both aviation security and operational efficiency.
Key government and industry leaders in aviation security, who are participating in the Sydney Leaders Week Conference, have endorsed this viewpoint, highlighting the importance of collaboration in the adoption of Verifiable Credentials (VC) and Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs).
Sydney Leaders Week, organized by Qantas, is attended by experts from the aviation sector and government officials from Australia, Canada, China, New Zealand, the UK, and the US.
There is a broad consensus that digital identity can offer significant advantages for aviation security:
- Enhanced Document Integrity: Mitigating fraud and preventing unauthorized access.
- Worldwide Trust: Facilitating secure and interoperable identity verification across borders.
- Improved Operational Efficiency: Simplifying document verification to enhance the passenger experience, reinforce regulatory compliance, and optimize resource distribution.
“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.
Enhancing Security Through Digital Transformation
During the conference, aviation security leaders outlined essential measures for governments to facilitate the digital transformation of the industry:
- Accelerate Technology Integration: Embed VC and DID technologies within national and international security frameworks, ensuring compliance with ICAO Annex 17 and Aircraft Operator Security Programs (AOSP).
- Emphasize Aviation Digital ID Applications: Incorporate aviation digital identity solutions into national digital strategies to foster global collaboration.
- Invest in Capacity Development: Allocate resources to empower industry stakeholders with the requisite knowledge and infrastructure for effective implementation.
- Boost Stakeholder Engagement: Raise awareness and encourage widespread adoption of digital identity solutions through focused education and outreach initiatives.
The industry is committed to assisting governments in the adoption of digital identity solutions.
In support of this initiative, IATA’s One ID program advocates for universally compatible digital identity standards, allowing travelers to authenticate their travel documents prior to departure and navigate the airport using biometric identification rather than traditional physical documents. One ID is designed to complement ICAO’s Digital Travel Credential, ensuring both security and efficiency while upholding privacy and adhering to international regulations.
Additionally, IATA is enhancing its Aviation Security Trust Framework, emphasizing the importance of regulatory alignment, inter-sector collaboration, and infrastructure as essential elements for harnessing the advantages of digital identity in the global aviation sector.