Digital IDs key to faster travel

Airlines will need to integrate systems for devices to be viable

Digital personal identities will make the future of air travel quicker and easier for passengers, according to a report released last week.

The report, compiled by consultancy firm the Henley Centre for airline business group Amadeus, says each identity will be able to store detailed passenger information and allow travel providers to tailor their services to individuals.

The identities could be carried on a credit-card sized device, or even a mobile phone, containing the passenger’s biometric and travel information. The device would be the only thing the passenger needs to travel.

Frederic Spagnou, head of Amadeus, says IT systems in the airline industry must be upgraded as a first step.

‘Some systems are 25 to 30 years old,’ he said. ‘The industry needs to build applications that are customer-centric rather than flight-centric. Once systems are overhauled and integrated, tickets, passports, frequent flyer cards and biometrics could all be in one single device.’

For the system to work, Spagnou says groups of allied airlines, such as the Star Alliance, will need to integrate their systems.

‘The danger is a lack of standardisation,’ he said. ‘The airlines must achieve 100 per cent intercompatability in the way that banks have with payment systems. Airlines are fighting for market share but must understand that this would be in the interest of the industry.

The report identifies three other areas where IT could have a beneficial impact on the customer experience: real-time travel data on mobiles, RFID tagging of customers and luggage to improve passenger flow, and wireless and mobile access on planes.

Sian Davies, chief executive of the Henley Centre, says RFID has the biggest potential.

‘Baggage handling is extre-mely expensive and with RFID costs could be reduced and the process made more efficient,' she said.

Tags that pin on to passengers’ clothing could help prevent airport bottlenecks, as well as help airlines see where all their passengers are and when a plane is ready to leave.

What do you think? Email us at [email protected]