Today, the airport experience has become a key factor for travelers, and the numbers confirm it: according to the latest UN Tourism Barometer, between January and July 2024, 790 million international trips were recorded, 11% more than in 2023 and just 4% below pre-pandemic levels.

With this accelerated recovery, airports face a new challenge: not only moving people, but doing so efficiently, safely, and with a seamless experience. This is demonstrated by the renowned Changi Airport Group, operator of Singapore’s airport, one of the most awarded in the world. Its commitment to technological innovation is embodied in an advanced facial recognition and iris biometrics system, which allows travelers to pass through immigration controls without needing to show their passports.

In this context, Digital Travel Credentials (DTCs) emerge as a strategic solution. They enable faster and more secure identity verification, reduce border wait times, and optimize travel, raising the standard of what it means to travel in the digital age.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is promoting this initiative as a digital alternative to the physical passport, designed to be secure, globally interoperable, and based on international standards. Digital Travel Certificates (DTCs) allow for the collection of key information—such as facial biometrics—before travel, which speeds up immigration controls and offers a more convenient and efficient experience for passengers.

ICAO has established three levels of Digital Travel Credentials, ranging from digital versions that complement the physical passport (Level 1) to fully digital credentials that could replace it in certain controlled environments (Level 3).

To ensure their reliability, DTCs rely on robust safety standards, which include:

• Authenticity: through digital signatures linked to a public key infrastructure (PKI), which certify that the credential was issued by a legitimate authority.
• Integrity: ensured by cryptographic algorithms similar to those used in electronic passports, which prevent any alteration of the data.
• Biometrics: Credentials incorporate facial photography and other biometric data, enabling accurate and secure remote identity validation.

In fact, a European Union report indicates that the perception of Digital Travel Credentials is mostly positive: DTCs are associated with shorter waiting times at the border and greater convenience when traveling.

DTC: the new way to identify yourself when traveling

In 2023, Finland became the first country in the world to launch an official pilot project for Digital Travel Credentials (DTCs). The initiative allowed Finnish passengers traveling to select destinations, such as Croatia, to register their DTC via an official mobile app before their flight. Upon arrival at the airport, they could pass through border control quickly, validating their identity through facial recognition, without needing to present their physical passport.

A transatlantic pilot project is currently underway between Canada and the Netherlands to test the use of Digital Travel Credentials on international flights. At Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, passengers on KLM flights from cities such as Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal are participating in this initiative.

The process combines the ICAO DTC1 standard with facial recognition and validation using public key infrastructure (PKI). Travelers can use their DTC for border controls, through facial scanners and physical passport readers, enabling faster, more secure, and automated identification.

In addition to the pilots already mentioned, several airports around the world are adopting technologies related to Digital Travel Credentials or implementing advanced biometric systems to optimize the passenger experience :

Delta-operated airports in the U.S. (LAX, LGA, JFK and Atlanta): have implemented the Digital ID system, which combines facial biometrics with the TSA PreCheck program, allowing travelers to pass through security and check in without needing to show physical documents.

Aruba International Airport : allows passengers to create digital credentials linked to their physical passport, streamlining immigration control processes and improving transit flow.

Hamad (Doha) and Narita/Haneda (Tokyo) airports have deployed biometric terminals at key points to facilitate passenger transit through facial recognition, reducing waiting times and improving operational security.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), more than 75% of passengers prefer contactless travel options and 44% would be willing to share their identity data to expedite processes at airports.

This trend highlights the relevance of solutions such as Digital Travel Credentials, which not only reduce waiting times for immigration, boarding, and identity checks, but also improve security through biometric authentication and digital signatures, promote digital inclusion by offering more accessible experiences, and contribute to sustainability by decreasing the use of paper and unnecessary physical procedures.