The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released a study showing substantial cost savings, operational efficiencies, passenger experience, and sustainability gains can be made by using biometric digital ID technology to manage the segregation of international and domestic departing passengers at airports where they are currently separated by physical barriers.
The Domestic and
International Passenger Integration Programme (DIPIP) report (pdf) was a
joint effort with AtkinsRéalisan engineering services and project management
company.
“Regulatory
requirements and technology limitations have meant that domestic and
international departure passenger flows need to be physically separated at many
airports. That’s no longer the case. Digital ID powered by biometrics can
achieve the needed segregation without creating a physically separated flow
with duplicated facilities which is inefficient and costly. The study shows
that segregating passengers with digital ID will lead to a better travel
experience for travelers, reduce costs for airports and airlines, and maintain
security and border control requirements. It’s a compelling case for a
much-needed modernization,” said Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for
Operations, Safety and Security.
“The publication of
this report is key in understanding how the concepts of digital identity and
use of biometrics can play a significant role in improving passenger experience
and creating substantial cost savings which will have benefits across the aviation
sector. We have a strong working relationship with IATA and were delighted to
work on this study, drawing on our own broad experience of integrating
biometrics into the passenger journey,” said Gareth Vest, UK&I Aviation
Market Director at AtkinsRéalis.
Key Benefits
The study quantified
the following benefits from segregating departing passengers with biometric
enabled digital ID:
- Improved Passenger Experience: Removing physical barriers between
domestic and international departure flows will improve passenger
satisfaction with simplified journeys and shorter processing times.
Minimum connection times, for example, could be reduced by nearly 20% with
the efficiencies gained.
- Cost Savings: Shared facilities eliminate
duplication in infrastructure, utilities, and staffing, reducing
maintenance, operating, and construction costs for airports, airlines, and
ground handlers. Case studies at major international airport identified up
to a 11% reduction in airport staff costs, while a ground handing company
estimated a USD 5.3M annual saving at another leading airport.
- More Efficient Use of Airport
Infrastructure: Enabling
departing passenger flows to use the same physical space allows airports
to serve more passengers within existing terminal footprints, optimising
use of space and the services within it.
- Sustainability Benefits: Consolidation reduces energy use and
construction-related emissions.
- Operational Flexibility: Shared facilities allow airports,
airlines, and ground handlers to better manage fluctuating passenger
volumes and deploy resources where needed. This is particularly important
given that international and domestic departures often concentrate at different
times during the day.
“The savings quickly
add up. A medium-sized airport serving 10 million passengers annually could
save up to $80 million of future capital expenditure and considerable annual
operational savings through the removal of duplicate facilities and improved
operational flexibility, while reducing its annual carbon footprint by 18,000
tonnes—the equivalent of removing 4,000 cars from the road for a year. The case
for change is clear. Managing departing passengers with digital ID instead of
physical barriers delivers efficiency, emission reductions, and a smoother
experience for travellers,” said Careen.
Regulatory
Considerations for Implementation
Implementation of
DIPIP can begin within existing regulatory frameworks. Early phases, such as
shared terminal areas and biometric identity verification, can proceed without
major regulatory changes, provided close coordination among airports, airlines,
and border authorities is maintained.
DIPIP outlines three
stages of implementation—Baseline, Integrated, and End-State—offering a
practical roadmap for adoption. The End-State envisions a fully digital process
where travelers complete identity and travel checks remotely, creating a
seamless, secure travel experience from home to gate.
“Collaboration is essential to unlocking the benefits of integrated passenger flows. Airports, airlines, and governments each have a role to play. By working together within existing frameworks and progressively modernising them we can deliver seamless, secure, and efficient travel for passengers while maintaining the highest standards of safety and compliance,” said Careen.