The Spanish company Facephi, specialized in digital identity verification, and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have collaborated to promote fully digital air travel through the use of digital wallets and biometric identification.
The project, which has already been implemented, has also involved the participation of Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong International Airport, Narita International Airport and partners such as Branchspace, NEC, Neoke, Northern Block and SICPA.
In this test, carried out in a real environment, a round-trip flight was carried out between Hong Kong and Tokyo Narita airports. Two passengers completed the travel process using only digital credentials and biometrics for authentication at checkpoints and access points at both airports.
During the trip, passengers used seven verifiable credentials, including electronic passport (e-Passport), selfie, visa, corporate card, frequent flyer membership, travel order and boarding pass. These digital credentials made it possible to manage processes quickly and securely at different points of the airport through biometric authentication, without the need to show physical documents.
Facephi’s role in the creation of the e-passport
Facephi played a crucial role in the issuance of verifiable credentials, issuing the DTC Passport (Digital Travel Credential) Type 1, in accordance with ICAO standards. This document became the authoritative source for the issuance of verifiable credentials, which were sent directly to the digital wallet. Facephi’s technology ensured a robust and reliable process, also generating a live biometric credential (selfie) and a corporate card, facilitating a continuous authentication experience through biometrics at airport checkpoints.
The test demonstrates the viability of a faster, safer and more personalized paperless trip
Interoperability was one of the main challenges of this proof of concept, as it involved the integration of multiple providers at each stage of the journey, including verifiable credential issuers, identity verifiers, digital wallets and airport biometric systems. The verifiable credentials issued by Facephi were effectively integrated with the biometric authentication systems of Hong Kong and Narita airports, demonstrating the adaptability of its technology in different jurisdictions and technological environments, and the feasibility of faster, safer and more paperless travel. personalized.
Miguel Luparelli, Head of Product Innovation at Facephi, highlighted that this project represents an advance towards the future of digital travel, where digital identity and biometrics allow for a faster, safer and more personalized travel experience. Facephi reaffirms its commitment to innovation and continues to develop solutions that transform the traveler experience in the aviation industry.
Use case: the future of travel with digital identity
Thanks to the advanced digital identity verification technology provided by Facephi, the project seeks to improve the registration and identity verification process, making it faster and more secure. Passengers must register prior to travel, either online or at the airport.
The process includes automatic capture of the traveler’s document, taking a selfie for facial verification and biometric comparison with the image of the identity document. Once registered, the passenger can access security points and boarding gates through facial recognition, without needing to show physical documents, although they must still be carried. This significantly speeds up all procedures.
