Digital identity, biometrics and platform technologies are combining so border authorities can establish secure and interoperable ecosystems. The approach enhances security, reduces transaction times at border touchpoints, and supports a seamless travel experience through closer cooperation with the broader travel industry.
In Curaçao eligible passengers can already cross the border in just five seconds using digital identity and biometrics. The mobile-first solution improves the passenger experience, increases efficiency for government, airport and airline stakeholders - all while achieving high levels of security. experience, increases efficiency for government, airport and airline stakeholders - all while achieving high levels of security. In Indonesia pre-vetted passengers cross the border in just two seconds using Amadeus’ Seamless Corridor. No barrier, no document scan, no queue – identities are verified as people pass through the corridor.
Curaçao and Indonesia aren’t simply deploying technology, they are building a secure digital identity ecosystem.
Let’s look at some of the capabilities powering secure and seamless experiences at journey touchpoints:
A secure, interoperable digital identity ecosystem combines these technologies to move passenger screening checks earlier in the journey. Let’s look at a typical experience.
This simple, secure, speedy process frees border agents to work on higher risk cases with most travelers able to cross the border in just five seconds.
The above process assumes ICAO’s Digital Travel Credential Type 1. As the DTC standard develops, the traveler’s mobile device will act as the physical component – further simplifying how we cross the border. Key to these developments is ICAO’s Public Key Directory (PKD) which provides a secure, centralized means for authorities that issue ePassports to share the information required to validate those documents. As the DTC works with the same core cryptographic standard as ePassports, participation in the PKD supports DTC and contactless use cases at the border.
The travel industry is progressing with similar programs to unlock a seamless experience across the end-to-end traveler journey. As part of an IATA-led Proof of Concept we recently worked with industry partners to deliver the first multi-airline, multi-airport, multi-leg biometric journey.
Selected travelers used verifiable credentials stored in a digital wallet on their smartphone to enable biometric verification at all departure and transfer points.
The entire international trip (from Tokyo Haneda to Hong Kong and then on to a European airport) was completed successfully in a live environment, with passengers providing informed consent for identity data to be re-used across the journey for a smooth and interoperable experience.
The PoC provided a glimpse into the end-state for the journey experience:
For authorities, the objective is to develop a secure sovereign border control system that not only connects effectively with its back-end databases but also with the broader travel ecosystem.
Doing so means immigration processes form part of this end-to-end journey, with improved security achieved through appropriate information sharing between authorized ecosystem participants. This type of seamless travel experience provides a meaningful improvement for travelers that is likely to influence their choice of travel provider, and destination. With tourism contributing circa 10% of global GDP and a considerably higher percentage for some countries, a secure and seamless travel experience supports economic growth.
Orchestration is the foundation border authorities can harness to build a secure, interoperable digital identity ecosystem. Our work with an island nation has seen Amadeus deploy an end-to-end solution that manages immigration from initial application to border crossing and enforcement.
The authority screens and validates travelers before they board a flight, so entry using ABC eGates at arrivals is secure and fast. With a record of each traveler’s history, simple cases progress easily while high risk cases can be identified and actioned anywhere across sovereign territory.
The country has achieved a secure digital identity layer at all its air and sea border crossing points - incorporating risk-based screening, immigration management and integration with the broader travel ecosystem.
The transformational technology to build secure, interoperable, digital identity ecosystems is ready today, and we’re beginning to see rapid adoption by border authorities and the travel industry. The combination of transformational technologies like AI and biometrics can help create a digital identity layer across the journey while supporting security, efficiency and privacy objectives. The key to maximizing outcomes is cooperation that prioritizes interoperability using global standards like the DTC, so journeys can be orchestrated end-to-end.
The Curaçao Express Pass is a world‑first solution with pre‑flight biometric digital ID verification system, enabling travelers to verify their identity from home and cross the border in just 5 seconds. Developed in partnership with the Curaçao Ministry of Justice, Curaçao Airport Holding and Amadeus, this innovation is transforming travel in the Caribbean and setting a new standard for airports worldwide.
A digital identity in travel is a secure, reusable way for a traveler to verify who they are and confirm what they are entitled to do, such as cross a border, board a flight or access a travel service. It can include digitalized passport data, travel documents and biometric information stored in a digital wallet and shared with airlines, airports or border authorities only with the traveler’s consent. By replacing repeated manual document checks with trusted digital verification, digital identity helps make travel faster, more seamless and more secure.
A digital identity ecosystem in travel is enabled by digital wallets, biometric verification, identity gateways, risk-based passenger screening, global standards and orchestration platforms. Standards such as ICAO’s Digital Travel Credential help digital credentials work across borders and systems, while wallets allow travelers to store and share verified identity information securely. Platforms such as Amadeus Travel Ready and the Amadeus Seamless Journey Platform help connect airlines, airports and border authorities so identity can be verified at the right touchpoint, at the right time.
Digital identity reduces friction in travel by allowing identity and document checks to happen earlier in the journey, digitally and securely. Instead of showing a passport or boarding pass at multiple airport or border touchpoints, travelers can share verified credentials before travel and use biometrics to confirm their identity during the journey. This helps reduce queues, speed up processing and create a smoother experience for travelers and increased operational efficiency for airlines, airports and border authorities.
Biometric data can be used in a digital identity ecosystem to link a traveler securely to their verified identity. For example, a facial image captured at an airport or border touchpoint can be matched against an enrolled image or trusted credential, making identity verification faster and reducing the need to repeatedly present physical documents. In Amadeus’ approach, biometric travel solutions should be consent-based, privacy-first and supported by alternatives for travelers who choose not to use biometrics.
Digital identity can improve border crossing by moving identity verification and risk-based checks earlier in the travel journey. Travelers can share trusted digital credentials before they arrive, giving border authorities more time to validate information securely. At the border, biometric eGates or seamless corridors can then confirm the traveler’s identity quickly, helping reduce processing times for routine cases while allowing officers to focus on higher-risk or more complex situations.
A digital identity ecosystem supports travel industry collaboration by giving airlines, airports, border authorities, ground handlers and technology providers a trusted way to verify and exchange identity information. Because seamless travel depends on many organizations working together, interoperability is essential. With the right consent model, governance and orchestration, digital identity can support secure border management, smoother airport flows and more connected end-to-end travel experiences.
The future of digital identity in travel is mobile, interoperable and consent-based. Travelers are increasingly likely to store verified identity documents in digital wallets and use them across online check-in, airport processing, border control and other travel services. For the travel industry, scaling digital identity will depend on open standards, privacy-first design and trusted orchestration, so travelers can be recognized securely across multiple touchpoints while remaining in control of their data.
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