Airside Mobile introduces digital ID for seamless travel

Airside Mobile has launched a new digital identity service for the travel industry that leverages ‘private’ biometric authentication to authorize easy access on planes and lounges to ensure seamless travel for passengers, the company announced at the Future Travel Experience Global Conference.

“By combining our industry partners’ deep expertise in travel biometrics with the convenience and security of AirsideX, we have turned the vision of ‘seamless travel’ into a reality,” said Chief Commercial Officer Jessica Patel. “We are proud to be building solutions that set the bar for traveler privacy and are encouraged by the industry leaders that are partnering with us to adopt our privacy centric solution.”

The digital ID solution combines travel biometrics solutions with Airside’s identity management to protect digital identity and ensure all-round privacy compliance.

The newly-added NFC feature of the AirsideX app allows users to upload passport information from the RFID chip in the document. The passport data can be either stored on the mobile app or uploaded before each trip.

The API can be used by all travel providers to request access to travelers’ information for specific use and limited time. Travelers can see the passport data request on their mobile device and decide if they want to share it or revoke access. Travelers can then stand in the biometric lane at the airport where facial recognition is used to match their faces with the passport photos shared.

After the match is confirmed, the data is deleted and no permanent records if personally identifiable information or biometrics are stored. A full report stating who accessed the information and for how long will be immediately available for reference. Users are in full ownership and control over their data at all times, the company says.

According to the press release, “personal data is not shared with third parties and is not retained on partners’ systems or Airside’s back-end. Using the highest encryption protocols of distributed key security management means that the whole process is simple, highly secure, and seamless.”

The travel industry, and the WTTC in particular, have focused on the importance of biometrics in seamless travel initiatives, but concerns about the privacy of airport biometric systems have been frequently expressed.

Article Topics

Airside Mobile  |  biometrics  |  digital identity  |  identity management  |  mobile app  |  passenger processing  |  privacy  |  travel and tourism  |  travel biometrics