IATA 2025: Digital Identity at the Heart of Air Transport Transformations

Global aviation is at a turning point. With the rise of digital technology, digital identity is becoming an essential lever for improving the passenger experience while strengthening security and regulatory compliance. The 2025 edition of World Data Symposium (WDS) organized by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) highlighted this transformation by exploring how airlines, airports, and governments can work together to build a smoother and safer travel ecosystem.

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Digital Identity: A Priority for Aviation

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With the rise of cyber threats and the need for a smoother passenger experience, the adoption of a standardized digital identity has become a priority for IATA and its members. The ambition is clear: to allow travelers to be authenticated in an instant, without physical documents, from check-in to boarding.

Among the major announcements of WDS 2025:

🔹 The IATA Digital Travel Credential (DTC) : A globally recognized digital identity, integrating electronic passports and facial biometrics.

🔹 The extension of Smart Borders : Smart borders based on facial recognition and biometric data, reducing manual checks and queues.

🔹 The fight against fraud : IATA and several governments are testing solutions for real-time identity verification to detect usurpations and falsified documents.

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Security and User Experience Gains

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💡 A “Seamless Travel” experience : Imagine a trip where you no longer need to take out your passport or ticket. Thanks to biometric technologies and secure digital identities, all steps — from check-in to boarding — are contactless.

💡 A response to KYC/KYB requirements : Airlines and travel platforms must comply with strict KYC (Know Your Customer) regulations. Digital identity simplifies these verifications, reducing the risks of fraud and money laundering.

💡 Simplified access to secure areas : Airport and airline employees can also benefit from a professional digital identity, avoiding the use of falsifiable physical badges.

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The Challenges of Digital Identity in Aviation

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Although promising, this transition raises several questions:

⚠️ Data protection : How to guarantee the secure storage of digital identities in the face of cyberattacks?

⚠️ Interoperability : The solutions developed must be accepted by all countries and airlines.

⚠️ Social acceptability : Some travelers remain skeptical about the use of their biometric data.

IATA, in partnership with actors like ICAO and governments, is committed to developing ethical and secure standards to oversee this transition.

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Towards a paperless journey by 2030?

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The objective set by IATA is ambitious: By 2030, digital identity could replace physical travel documents.

Thanks to these advances, the future of air transport is taking shape under the sign of fluidity, security and digital trust. WDS 2025 marked a key step in this evolution, laying the foundations for connected and user-centered aviation.
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Digital Identity at the Service of Businesses: A Challenge for All Sectors

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The integration of digital identity is not only limited to the airline sector. Many businesses in various industries are looking to adopt digital identity verification solutions to secure their processes while improving the customer experience.

Chez Dataleon, we offer solutions specially adapted to companies wishing to make progress in this field. Our solutions enable businesses to effectively meet KYC requirements while reducing fraud risks and simplifying customer journeys. These solutions, based on real-time identity verification and facial recognition technologies, are used in many sectors such as banking, finance, and many others. In this way, we contribute to a smooth and secure digital transformation for our partners.

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