Travelling without a physical passport, without endless queues and without having to show documents at each touchpoint is no longer a utopia. Digital transformation on air travel is up and running and Know Your Passenger (KYP) is the key to making it come true.
As the industry moves forward to more fluid, more secure/safer travel models, technologies such as advanced biometrics and verifiable credentials are redefining digital identity at airports. But what does this change imply and how does it impact airlines, airports and passengers?
From the physical passport to verifiable credentials: the new identity in travel
The physical passport, although essential for crossing borders, represents a point of friction: manual checks, risk of loss or falsification and long waits at the airport. KYP solves these problems by issuing verifiable credentials, allowing passengers to store their identity in a secure digital wallet. Thanks to this solution, your identity can be instantly validated with face biometrics, without the need to show physical documents at each touchpoint. This advance improves the passenger’s experience and optimises the operational processes of airlines and airports, reducing waiting times and reinforcing security.
How does KYP work?
The KYP process is simple, fast and 100% secure:
1. Registration and generation of verifiable credentials
The passenger’s digital trip starts upon registration:
- Passport scan: the passenger scans his/her passport, verifying its authenticity by reading the built-in chip.
- Biometric selfie: the passenger then takes a selfie which is compared with the passport photo to ensure that they both match, automatically validating their identity.
- Generation of the verifiable credential (e-Passport VC): based on the information obtained, a verifiable credential (VC) or ePassport VC is issued, which is stored securely in a digital wallet on the passenger’s mobile device, guaranteeing the privacy and protection of their biometric data.
2. Quick and contactless verification at the airport
At the airport, the verification process is completely contactless. Passengers validate their identity through facial biometrics, without the need to take out their mobile device or show any physical documents. Authentication is based on two factors (SCA):
- First factor: what the passenger has (his/her digital passport stored in the wallet which is shared remotely and prior to arrival at the airport. This information is first transferred to the airline, which distributes it to the other stakeholders involved at the different touchpoints.
- Second factor: what the passenger is (their face biometrics), comparing their face with a previously generated image gallery available at the touchpoint (authentication 1:few). This gallery is automatically eliminated once the estimated time for the passenger to complete the process at the touchpoint has elapsed.
3. Frictionless trip: fast and efficient
The passenger can only move forward with his/her face biometry for all security and boarding checks, making his/her travel experience speedy and completely digital.
100% digital air travel with Facephi and IATA
The concept of 100% digital travel moves forward with Facephi’s participation in the Strategic Partnership Program of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), along with other key players in the sector. This partnership allows the creation of an interoperable digital identity system that improves the passenger experience and speeds up the operational processes of airlines and airports.
Through the integration of verifiable credentials and facial biometrics, backed up by the Digital Identity Trust Framework —a unified framework that guarantees interoperability between airlines, airports and government authorities -, a fluid and secure travel experience is ensured which is respectful of privacy, at the same time reducing the risk of fraud and falsification.
Actual trip without physical documents between Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok and Tokyo Narita airports
A tangible example of the KYP application took place on a trial flight between Hong Kong and Tokyo Narita, where passengers could complete their trip without showing any physical document, using only their digital credentials and face biometrics. This trial flight involved several key players, including airports, airlines and technology providers, who worked together to make this project a successful demonstration of the potential of KYP.
Facephi, transforming air travel with digital identity verification and advanced technology
Facephi is playing a fundamental role in the development of this innovative digital travel solution, allowing identity verification through advanced biometric technology and the use of verifiable digital credentials. Our technological infrastructure facilitates a 100% digital travel experience, eliminating the need for physical documents and improving operational efficiency.
By working alongside key industry actors, we are contributing to a future where passengers can enjoy a fluid, secure and uninterrupted travel process. With digital identity solutions which prioritise privacy and security, the traveller’s experience is completely redefined, eliminating physical barriers and providing a much speedier service.
With Facephi technology, the future of air trips is getting closer: seamless, paperless, personalised and completely digital.
