Air Canada will enable passengers to enroll for biometric gate access via a mobile application starting September 2026 at Toronto Pearson Airport. This new service aims to streamline boarding processes by integrating biometric credentials through digital enrollment.
IATA 2026 Global Passenger Survey Shows Rising Biometric Adoption
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released its 2026 Global Passenger Survey (GPS), collecting over 10,000 responses from travelers across more than 200 countries. The survey revealed that 58% of passengers encountered biometric processing at airports in 2026, an increase of 8 percentage points from 50% in 2025. Passenger satisfaction with biometric experiences reached 87% in 2026. Additionally, 78% of respondents expressed willingness
to share biometric data to avoid presenting passports and boarding passes during security procedures. The survey also found that 84% of travelers showed interest in using digital passports for online check-in in place of physical passports, while 82% were open to sharing digital travel IDs with airlines upon booking and payment for personalized services such as visa information.
IATA Executive Highlights Biometric Benefits and Need for Digital Travel Credentials
Nick Careen, Senior Vice President of Operations, Safety and Security at IATA, emphasized the growing passenger acceptance of biometrics, stating, “More passengers are experiencing biometrics during their travels. They like it and want more.” Careen described the advantages as “smoother journeys for
passengers and more efficient, secure processes for governments and airlines.” He noted that to make biometrics a standard for international travel, governments must establish a framework for issuing and accepting secure digital passports or Digital Travel Credentials.
U.S. Policies Allow Biometric Opt-Out Without Screening Delay
In the United States, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) permits travelers to decline participation in facial biometric comparison without facing longer security screening times or losing their place in line. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offers American citizens the option to request alternative processing instead of submitting to facial photo capture, potentially involving manual examination of travel documents by officers.
Global Biometric Rollout Advances Amid Government Coordination Challenges
The expansion
of biometric processing at airports continues worldwide, reflected by increasing passenger engagement and satisfaction. However, the widespread adoption of biometrics for secure and efficient international travel depends on governments agreeing upon standardized frameworks for digital travel credentials. Airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Ryanair, United Airlines, and Lufthansa are members of IATA, supporting industry-wide biometric initiatives.
