In a major shift for global air travel, boarding passes and traditional check-ins are set to be phased out as the aviation industry undergoes its biggest transformation in over 50 years.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a United Nations agency that sets worldwide aviation standards, is spearheading the change. Under its new proposal, passengers will use facial recognition technology and store their passport details on their smartphones. This system will eliminate the need for physical documents and manual check-ins.
A key part of the plan is the introduction of a “digital travel credential.” This digital version of a passport can be uploaded to a mobile device and used throughout a passenger’s journey.
Instead of checking in online or at the airport, travelers will receive a “journey pass” when booking a flight. This digital pass will automatically update if there are any changes to flight details.
Once at the airport, passengers will have their faces scanned. This scan will notify airlines that the traveler has arrived and intends to fly. For those with checked luggage, face scans will be done at the bag-drop areas. Passengers with only carry-on bags will be verified at pre-security checkpoints.
Valérie Viale, director of product management at Amadeus—a leading travel technology company—told The Times, “Many airline systems haven’t changed for more than 50 years because everything must be consistent and compatible across the industry.”
The ICAO’s digital travel initiative marks a major step toward a seamless, paperless travel experience.
