The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and its partners have proven that the industry is ready to deliver a fully digital air travel experience, with a proof-of-concept test involving two passengers successfully carried out on a round-trip between Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Involving Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong International Airport, and Narita International Airport, among others, the two travellers relied solely on electronic credentials and digital wallets to book their flights, obtain visas, check travel documents, check in, and retrieve boarding passes. They also used biometric identification during the airport process, integrating verifiable credentials from passports to frequent flyer memberships and company IDs.

IATA said the successful outcome proves that an entirely seamless digital travel experience is possible already. “The challenge now is to make this more efficient travel experience available to all travellers,” commented Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety, and Security.

Nick said the industry could be ready very shortly. He noted: “Government efforts to adopt digital travel credentials based on ICAO standards are picking up pace. Europe is already planning to issue Digital Identity Wallets to citizens and residents by 2027.”