EU travel group urges flexible biometric rules
The Responsible Biometrics Travel Industry Coalition, an alliance of ACI Europe, Amadeus, IATA, Idemia Public Security, and SITA, has called on the European Union to shape its upcoming Digital Omnibus proposal so that it accommodates biometric technology in air travel while preserving passenger privacy and individual choice. The group warns that the current draft could inadvertently limit the adoption of biometrics across Europe by imposing overly rigid conditions.
Biometric verification methods like facial recognition or fingerprint scans would simplify passenger processing, the coalition explains, by removing the need for repeated document verification. This change would ease airport congestion, enhance efficiency during busy travel seasons, and free up staff to assist travelers who need special help. The proposal also notes that smoother passenger flows and better terminal capacity utilization would result from these measures.
IATA’s surveys reveal that 74% of travelers are open to using biometric data in place of traditional travel documents such as passports or boarding passes. The coalition insists that these advantages must not compromise privacy or personal control. They emphasize that biometric use should remain optional, secure, and restricted to specific stages of the travel process.
Airports and airlines would benefit from fewer manual checks, but the coalition stresses that any biometric system must include strong safeguards. Passengers must retain the right to decline participation or request data removal, and biometric data should only be used during the travel process—not stored indefinitely.
