Passengers Want Biometrics to Speed Airport Experience

Most airline passengers want to use biometric data for identity verification when they travel, rather than their passport and boarding pass, according to new research.

 The 2022 Global Passenger Survey from International Air Transport Association (IATA) finds 75 percent of travelers worldwide say that biometrics would simplify and speed airport processes.

“Travel during COVID-19 was complex, cumbersome and time consuming due to government-imposed travel requirements. Post-pandemic, passengers want improved convenience throughout their trip. Digitalization and use of biometrics to speed up the travel journey is the key,” said Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety and Security, in a statement.

The survey also finds over a third have already experienced using biometric identification in their travels, with an 88 percent satisfaction rate. But data protection remains a concern for about half of travelers.

“Passengers clearly see technology as key to improving the convenience of airport processes,” Careen said. “They want to arrive at the airport ready-to-fly, get through the airport at both ends of their journey more quickly using biometrics and know where their baggage is at all times. The technology exists to support this ideal experience. But we need cooperation across the value chain and with governments to make it happen. And we need to continuously reassure passengers that the data needed to support such an experience will be safely kept.”