Hong Kong International Airport became one of the first two organizations certified under the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) One ID digital identity program on October 28, 2026. The certification covers Contactless Travel, Biometric Handling, and Privacy, Consent and Governance, setting global standards for enabling passengers to pass through airport checkpoints without repeatedly showing passports and boarding passes.
Hong Kong Airport’s Flight Token Facial Recognition System
The airport uses the Flight Token facial recognition system, launched in 2021, to streamline passenger departures. More than 80% of departing passengers at Hong Kong International Airport are eligible to use Flight Token. Since its launch, over 93 million passengers have passed
through the airport utilizing this system.
IATA’s Role and Air New Zealand’s Certification
Nick Careen, IATA senior vice-president for operations, safety and security, noted that government legislation and privacy regulations remain significant barriers to wider adoption of digital identity and biometric technologies. The differing regulations between countries hinder cross-border biometric identification systems. Despite current challenges, Careen expressed hope for eventual U.S. participation in One ID implementation, given American travelers’ desire for smoother journeys.
Air New Zealand is the other recipient of the One ID certification, approved for digitalization of admissibility that verifies passengers’ entry documents. The airline has also conducted a cross-border trial with Hong Kong International
Airport to test digital identity use across jurisdictions.
Privacy, Security and Industry Perspectives
Francis Fong Po-kiu, honorary president of the Hong Kong Information Technology Federation, emphasized that passenger caution about sharing biometric data internationally is natural. He supported IATA’s use of decentralized digital identity technology and encrypted tokens, which enable verification without retaining original biometric images, thus reducing data storage risks. Fong affirmed that One ID offers stronger privacy protections than conventional online applications, though cybersecurity threats remain a concern.
Official Statements and Passenger Benefits
Vivian Cheung Kar-fay, CEO of Airport Authority Hong Kong, said the One ID certification affirms the airport’s commitment to innovation and enhancing the passenger experience.
She highlighted that the certification confirms Hong Kong International Airport’s biometric processes meet IATA’s global standards and supports plans to expand Flight Token beyond Hong Kong for interoperable, seamless digital travel.
Challenges in Broader Biometric Adoption
The adoption of biometric travel technologies has been slowed by government regulatory frameworks requiring physical identification checks and data privacy safeguards. IATA developed One ID to create a global standard that promotes secure, contactless travel using digital identity and biometrics. The framework offers passengers more transparent control over their biometric data by requiring consent for each journey and organization, with data deleted after a set period.
