The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged the aviation sector to accelerate the adoption of digital identity technologies to enhance security and operational efficiency.
Government and industry representatives attending the Sydney Leaders Week Conference supported this approach, highlighting the importance of collaboration in implementing Verifiable Credentials (VC) and Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs).
The event, hosted by Qantas, brought together experts from Australia, Canada, China, New Zealand, the UK and the US.
Digital identity technologies are considered to provide several advantages for aviation security, including:
- Enhanced Document Integrity – Reducing fraudulent activities and unauthorised access
- Global Trust – Enabling secure, cross-border, interoperable identity verification
- Operational Efficiency – Improving document verification processes, regulatory oversight, and resource allocation
Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety and Security, said: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.
Aviation security leaders at the conference outlined key actions for governments to support the industry’s digital transformation:
Technology Integration – Incorporating VC and DID technologies into national and international security frameworks, aligning with ICAO Annex 17 and Aircraft Operator Security Programmes (AOSP).
Digital ID Use Cases – Integrating aviation digital identity solutions into national digital strategies to enhance global cooperation.
Capacity Building – Allocating resources to equip industry stakeholders with the necessary knowledge and infrastructure for effective implementation.
Stakeholder Engagement – Promoting awareness and industry-wide adoption of digital identity solutions through targeted education and outreach initiatives.
As part of this initiative, IATA’s One ID programme promotes globally interoperable digital identity standards. This enables passengers to verify travel documents before departure and use biometric recognition instead of physical documents at airports.
One ID operates in conjunction with ICAO’s Digital Travel Credential, supporting security and efficiency while ensuring compliance with global regulations.
IATA is also advancing its Aviation Security Trust Framework, which prioritises regulatory alignment, cross-sector collaboration, and infrastructure development. These components are seen as essential for realising the benefits of digital identity in global aviation.
