by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 9:45 AM ET, Mon April 7, 2025
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released its Contactless Travel Directory this week, making it easier for airlines to identify and offer contactless travel at different airports and across partner airlines.
Contactless travel refers to “interoperable” biometrics that help passengers travel without relying on paper documents like passports or boarding passes. This includes biometric security, uploading passport information to the airline or using an airline’s app as a boarding pass.
The new Contactless Travel Directory is an API resource airlines can use to determine biometric travel touchpoints across airports; verify traveler eligibility for contactless services; connect with other airline or airport biometric touchpoints with protocols.
Digital services provider Airware and identity management providers IDEMIA and iPassport will be the first to use the Directory at this year’s Passenger Terminal Expo in Madrid this week.
“The release of the Contactless Travel Directory will make it easier for airlines to expand biometric service opportunities for their customers,” said Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President, Operations, Safety and Security. “As travelers expect ever greater efficiency, biometric recognition technology is taking on a growing role in facilitating travel. This Directory, along with IATA’s One ID initiative, aims to accelerate that transition with critical data and global standards.”
How does the Directory work, exactly? Once a passenger begins checking in on their airline’s app, the app queries the Contactless Travel Directory, which provides details on contactless travel services the passenger can use and what actions they need to take to enjoy those services, like uploading their passport information.
The airline app will then notify the passenger of how they can utilize contactless travel services. Once the passenger provides their consent, the app shares secure data. The passenger can then travel using those contactless services.
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