Hong Kong International Airport became one of the first two organizations certified under the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) One ID program on October 28, 2026. The certification recognizes the airport’s use of biometric technology that enables passengers to pass through checkpoints using facial recognition instead of repeatedly presenting passports and boarding passes.
IATA One ID Certification Domains
The One ID certification covers three specific domains essential for airport operators: Contactless Travel, Biometric Handling, and Privacy, Consent and Governance. These standards govern how biometric data is collected, processed, and protected while allowing seamless passenger flow through security and boarding gates.
Flight Token System Usage Statistics
Hong Kong International Airport utilizes
its Flight Token facial recognition system, introduced in 2021, to streamline departures. More than 80 percent of departing passengers qualify to use Flight Token at all checkpoints. Since its launch, over 93 million passengers have passed through the airport using this biometric-enabled process.
Regulatory Challenges Slowing Adoption
Nick Careen, IATA Senior Vice President of Operations, Safety and Security, identified government reluctance to update legislation on data privacy and identity verification as the primary hurdle to faster biometric technology adoption. He said that regulatory differences between countries prevent smooth cross-border biometric identification and that physical identity checks remain a requirement in many jurisdictions. Careen stated,
“Until governments truly unlock the legislation and regulations required, not only around data privacy, but also around identification checks and the requirement for that to be done physically … we are going to have a slow adoption rate, unfortunately.” He also noted that while the United States might opt out of the program, the expectation is that it will join due to traveler demand.
Official Statements on Certification and Privacy
Vivian Cheung Kar-fay, CEO of Airport Authority Hong Kong, said the certification confirms Hong Kong International Airport’s biometric processes meet IATA’s global standards and supports expanding Flight Token beyond the city. She stated, “This certification affirms
our commitment to enhancing the passenger experience through innovation and demonstrates that HKIA’s digital identity and biometric processes meet IATA’s global standards.” Francis Fong Po-kiu, honorary president of the Hong Kong Information Technology Federation, acknowledged passenger caution toward biometric data sharing, calling it “totally natural,” but affirmed the technical soundness of the One ID system and its enhanced privacy through decentralized identity technology. The system minimizes retention of original biometric images by using encrypted tokens.
Air New Zealand’s One ID Certification and Collaboration
Air New Zealand received One ID certification for digital admissibility verification, confirming passenger documentation for destination entry. The airline conducted a trial with Hong Kong
International Airport to test cross-border use of digital identity, aiming to reduce document presentation and queues at checkpoints.
Industry Context on Biometric Identity Systems
IATA’s One ID initiative sets an industry benchmark for integrating biometric and digital identity technology in air travel. Despite demonstrated benefits in passenger flow and data privacy, wider adoption remains limited due to regulatory inconsistencies and government legislation delays. The framework requires passenger consent for each trip and enforces data deletion after a set period, increasing transparency and traveler control over personal information.
