IATA sees digital ID technologies adding fidelity to aviation security while driving efficiency

March 19, 2025 in Companies, Science and Technology, Technology & Telecoms, Transport, Travel & Tourism by Editor

International airlines lobby IATA, has repeated its call for the rapid adoption of digital identity technologies by the air transport industry, as tool for improving aviation security and operational efficiency.

Speaking at the Qantas sponsored Sydney Leaders Week Conference earlier today, Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President, Operations, Safety and Security, said digital identity technology would deliver stronger Document Integrity; which in turn, will reducing identity fraud and unauthorised access. Enhanced document integrity would also enable secure, cross-border, interoperable identity verification, resulting in streamlined document verification, a smoother passenger experience and strengthened regulatory oversight. Combined the measures would help players optimise resource allocation and yield operational efficiency.

“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.

Industry stakeholders in aviation security agreed with IATA’s position and emphasised the need for collaboration in implementing Verifiable Credentials (VC) and Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs).

Sydney Leaders Week, hosted by Qantas, is being attended by industry experts and government representatives from Australia, Canada, China, New Zealand, the UK, and the US.

Aviation security leaders at the conference also identified key actions for governments to drive the industry’s digital transformation. Governments would need to support the fast-tracking of technology integration incorporation of VC and DID technologies into national and international security frameworks, aligning with ICAO Annex 17 and Aircraft Operator Security Programs (AOSP).

They should also: Prioritize Aviation Digital ID Use Cases: Integrate aviation digital identity solutions into national digital strategies to enhance global cooperation.

•    Invest in Capacity Building: Allocate resources to equip industry stakeholders with the necessary knowledge and infrastructure for seamless implementation.

•    Increase Stakeholder Engagement: Promote awareness and industry-wide adoption of digital identity solutions through targeted education and outreach.

The air transport industry is already working to support governments in adopting digital identity. As part of these efforts, IATA’s One ID initiative promotes globally interoperable digital identity standards, enabling passengers to verify their travel documents before departure and move through the airport using biometric recognition instead of physical documents. One ID works in harmony with ICAO’s Digital Travel Credential ensuring security and efficiency while maintaining privacy and compliance with global regulations.

IATA is also advancing its Aviation Security Trust Framework, which sees regulatory alignment, cross-sector collaboration and infrastructure as critical components to realize the benefits of digital identity in global aviation.