WTTC and IATA Join Forces for Biometrics Use

Photo Source: @IATA

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have agreed to partner in order to achieve a seamless passenger experience through the use of biometrics technology.

The agreement, which was recently announced on the sidelines of the IATA annual general meeting in Sydney, Australia, means that the two organizations will adopt a common approach, exchange information and work together to energize the entire sector and achieve international harmonization through the use of biometrics standards and interoperability.

IATA, on behalf of its member-airlines, is promoting a range of innovations to be considered for airports of the future, including the One iD initiative, which aims at offering passengers a frictionless airport process allowing the possibility to walk through the airport without breaking stride.

“The journey thorough the airport is often a frustrating experience. Passengers have to verify their identity at numerous points across their journey. The IATA One iD project is helping the industry rapidly move towards the day when a face, iris or fingerprint will act as a single biometric travel token… The agreement with WTTC will act as a strong catalyst for industry change,” said IATA Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac.

Likewise, WTTC, through its Seamless Traveler Journey program, is committed to working with the existing initiatives in this area to encourage the use of biometric technology and digital identity.

“Biometric technology is essential for the future of travel. It can help us make travel more seamless, more efficient and more secure. It improves the existing processes, reduces time for the traveler and will allow the sector to grow,” said WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara.

IATA is forecasting a rise from 4 billion annual air passengers today to 7.8 billion over the next twenty years, and UNWTO estimates global international arrivals to rise from 1.3 to 1.8 billion by 2030.