Global passenger numbers are expected to double by 2041, from approximately four billion in 2019 to eight billion in 2040 growing at an average annual rate of 3.3%. Building ever larger airports to match this increase will be increasingly difficult, and in many cases, impossible. The aviation industry needs to implement automation, digitalization, and efficient seamless processes to manage this growth.
IATA has been leading the One ID initiative for many years and its vision and focuses have evolved after monitoring various biometrics or digital identity trials and implementations and in the rapid acceleration of these technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, One ID focused on biometric processes at the airport, but now its scope has expanded to cover when passengers prepare for their trips at home before reaching the airport.
One ID aims to transform passenger processing using Digital Identity technologies in addition to biometrics. Through the contactless travel and digitalization of admissibility, passengers can arrive at the airport ready to fly, and then move in a contactless manner through all airport touchpoints. This is the vision of One ID.
One ID aims to create a paperless, off-airport process where passengers arrive ready to fly. Passengers maintain control over their data, providing informed consent to share their digital identity credentials securely. Verifying parties should only request the minimum data necessary for transactions.
Biometric recognition systems will enable passengers to be recognized throughout their journey. Passengers can opt for an end-to-end digital experience with advanced sharing of their digital identity information or choose traditional manual processing, with the option to opt out of biometric processing at any stage.
This approach ensures data security and privacy while offering a seamless travel experience. Passengers have the flexibility to choose their preferred method of processing, enhancing convenience and efficiency.
Soon, digital identity credentials will become essential for travel, allowing passengers to enjoy seamless service delivery by providing easily verifiable credentials. These credentials, stored in digital wallets, will unlock access to specific services and offerings, enhancing the overall travel experience.
A robust global trust framework will enable interoperability and scalability, benefiting all parties involved in a One ID implementation. Passengers will experience contactless travel, reduced queues, and faster processing at airport touchpoints, while airlines will see improved staff productivity, cost savings through automation, and reduced fraud. Airports will benefit from increased capacity and optimized space efficiency, leading to higher passenger throughput and satisfaction.
Governments will gain from the advance sharing of passenger information, enabling better risk analysis and handling at borders and security checkpoints. This will strengthen border security, improve facilitation, and help combat human trafficking and cross-border crime by reducing the use of false identities.
In a One ID implementation it is important to identify specifically and explicitly what data is required at each point of the passenger journey, to ensure that only the minimum personal data is requested for the passenger to disclose. An example of this is demonstrated in the figure below. It is likely that each implementation and each stakeholder will have different data requirements.
A person’s identity is defined by their combined biometric and biographic attributes that apply uniquely to that person. Identity establishment is the process of verifying and associating identity attributes with a particular person, which can then be issued to that person in the form of a document. Identity is commonly established in civil registration with what is known as an anchor or ‘foundational’ document or registration (most commonly as a birth registration) forming the first link in a person’s identity.
Digital identity is a term used broadly and can have different interpretations depending on the context or use. In general terms, digital identity is a set of electronically captured and stored attributes and credentials that can uniquely identify a person, an entity, or an object to authorize access, or to validate entitlements to access and to claim products and services.
One ID is designed as a system of agreed controls that govern the interactions between all participants, where each stakeholder knows their role, rights, and obligations. This approach supports the processes and configurations that best achieve the required performance levels, makes options available to support integration with external systems, and supports data exchanges securely, directly, and in respect of privacy.
The system recommended for the communication of credentials and their attributes for decentralized identity is the W3C DID Comm. This is the most open system for communications between users in different systems. It allows for direct and end to end, peer to peer communication. In other words, there is no server in the middle to function as connector or mediator. There is encryption in this end-to-end communication ensuring a secure channel and allowing for mutual authentication between each party.
The below figure illustrates how a data management module can apply business logic process across a One ID network and facilitate VC sharing through enabling the holder to establish direct end to end, peer to peer communication channels with multiple relying parties in integrated & collaborative solutions. The data management module only determines which relying parties require what data and when and then guides the holder to connect directly and does not broker the data on behalf of the holder.
Once the passenger has their trusted digital identity credential, it is their choice to use that information to enjoy the benefits of contactless travel. The passenger is presented an option, such as via a notification from the wallet agent to directly and selectively present (send) the minimum necessary data to the relying parties such as the airline, airport or government.
The below figure illustrates how a data management module can apply business logic process across a One ID network and facilitate VC sharing through enabling the holder to establish direct end to end, peer to peer communication channels with multiple relying parties in integrated & collaborative solutions.
IATA’s Digital Identity and Biometrics Fundamentals training course covers the essential models, forms, and features of digital identity and biometrics for implementing One ID solutions. It helps future experts create reliable digital identities for passenger identification in air travel, while respecting data protection and privacy requirements. The course also explores various methods for passengers to prove their identity and share it with stakeholders involved in the One ID concept.
Complementing the training is the Digital Identity and Biometrics Fundamentals Handbook, which guides the industry in understanding the technology behind digital identity and biometrics, the importance of privacy, and how trust is established. This handbook is designed for airlines, airports, and other industry partners looking to implement One ID solutions.
Together, the course and handbook provide a comprehensive introduction to digital identity, biometric processing, and verifiable credentials, offering valuable insights for industry professionals.
