Digital IDs Transform The Future Passenger Travel Experience

Christmas getaway time: it’s getting a bit digital at the border

The festive season is just around the corner and many people are starting to organize their holidays. Much of this can already be done digitally. In just a few clicks, you can book hotels, check flights and pay for it all online. When you arrive at your destination, you can use an app to reserve a rental car and check into your hotel.

However, one essential part of travel is still characterized by physical documents and manual processes: proof of identity. Travelers still need to carry their ID or passport and have it checked when crossing borders.

Advanced technologies already reducing manual steps

The first wave of digitization is already in place, and modern technologies are now streamlining manual control processes while maintaining security and making travel more seamless.

For example, apps are now available that allow travelers to use Near Field Communication (NFC) to transfer and store personal data from the chip in their e-passport to their smartphone. From there, the data can be securely shared with registered trusted parties, such as border authorities or airlines, to apply for a visa online. By eliminating manual processes, travelers save a lot of time and effort.

eGates and eKiosks eliminate long queues and shorten processing times

Many airports, especially in the European Schengen area, have eGates where travelers can place their electronic passport on a reader for automatic scanning. Once inside the eGate, the system scans the traveler’s face and verifies within a few seconds that the biometric data matches the information on the electronic passport. Unlike manual passport control, this eliminates long queues.

eKiosks, which are particularly common in U.S. airports, follow a similar approach. At these kiosks, travelers answer a questionnaire, scan their passport and verify their identity using biometric methods such as facial recognition. They then receive a printout that is manually checked at the security checkpoint. By providing personal information in advance, the security check takes less time.

Physical IDs are here to stay

For the foreseeable future, physical ID documents are here to stay. They have many security features, such as watermarks or holographic images, that don’t yet have a counterpart in the virtual world. In addition, there is still a lack of nationwide IT infrastructures for the widespread use of digital identities and international standards for their global use. As a result, the passport – our core identity document – will continue to exist in its current form for some time to come.

The future could be biometric

The European Union's pilot project for biometric corridors at airports offers a glimpse into a future without physical passports. In this scenario, after checking in online, passengers arrive at the airport where, instead of presenting their passport at a traditional border checkpoint, they pass through a biometric corridor. Here, advanced camera systems verify their identity by comparing their pre-registered passport and biometric data with information stored in a database and the passenger manifest.

Ideally, the entire process happens seamlessly, allowing travelers to move through security without even noticing the check. All relevant passenger information is shared with the border authorities at the destination country, removing the need for additional checks upon arrival – ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable travel experience.