The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released the results of its 2026 Global Passenger Survey (GPS), highlighting three major trends in passenger behavior and expectations. Biometrics are becoming mainstream and interest in digital passports is growing: Passengers are embracing biometric identification to reduce repeated document checks and show strong interest in using digital passports for check-in and more personalized services at booking.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing how passengers plan travel: From finding flights and comparing fares to discovering their next destination, passengers are making AI part of their travel planning. Entry requirements are a growing barrier to travel: More passengers say immigration requirements have discouraged them from visiting a destination. AI is changing how passengers plan travel. The GPS shows that almost half (49%) of travelers have used AI for travel planning. The GPS shows that entry requirements are a growing barrier to travel, even as passengers embrace technology. Immigration requirements have discouraged 43% of passengers from visiting a destination, up from 33% in 2025, it informed.
Of the passengers discouraged from traveling to a particular destination by geopolitical conflict, 72% say safety was the main reason, while13% cite uncertainty over whether travel is possible. Of the passengers put off by immigration requirements, 53% say the process is too complex. Privacy (17%) and cost (17%) were far less common.
Passengers also want visa processes to be faster, earlier in the travel process and digital: 86% are likely to share immigration information digitally before departure to speed up processes, up from 83% in 2025. 45% would prefer to complete immigration procedures before reaching the airport, up from 41% in 2025. 60% prefer to apply for a visa online, compared with 25% who prefer to apply in person at a consulate or embassy.
Passengers want to apply for visas online and complete immigration procedures before they reach the airport. eVisas can deliver that, but airlines can only verify them efficiently if governments use common standards. More than 100 countries issue eVisas, it reads.
Regional Trends
Africa: African travelers are among the most satisfied. They are the most likely to have been discouraged from visiting a destination by immigration requirements. Complexity, followed by cost, is the main concern among those deterred by entry requirements. Biometric adoption is among the lowest across the regions, but interest in digital travel solutions is among the strongest of all regions.
Asia-Pacific: Asia-Pacific travelers report the highest level of overall satisfaction. They are the second most willing of any region to use biometrics, although concerns about data breaches remain strong. Immigration requirements also discourage travel, particularly the complexity of the process.
Europe: European travelers report the lowest overall satisfaction. They are the most cautious region when it comes to adopting digital travel technology. Use of both AI and biometrics is below the global average, and European passengers are also less willing than those elsewhere to use biometrics and digital passports during booking and online check-in.
North America: North American travelers report the highest use of biometrics, but also the strongest concern about data breaches. Concerns about data being shared with other organizations and a lack of information about how it is handled are above the survey average. They are the least likely to have been discouraged from visiting a destination by immigration requirements.
Latin America & the Caribbean: Travelers from Latin America and the Caribbean are the second most satisfied globally, reporting the largest improvement in overall satisfaction compared with 2025. They are among the most likely to prefer completing immigration procedures before arriving at the airport and show a strong willingness to share immigration information digitally in advance. Biometric use is below average compared to other regions, while concerns about how personal data is shared and handled are the highest of any region.
Middle East: Middle East travelers are the most likely to use AI for travel planning and show the strongest interest in digital passports and biometric identification. Satisfaction among biometric users is also the highest across the regions. Among those discouraged from traveling by immigration requirements, cost is cited more often than elsewhere, although complexity remains the leading concern, an IATA survey released.
IATA One ID Certification
Meanwhile, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Air New Zealand and Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) are the first organizations to achieve One ID Certification. The certifications were presented at the IATA World Passenger Symposium (WPS) in Macao.
The new certification gives airlines, airports, and governments assurance that an organization’s use of digital identity and biometrics meets IATA’s global One ID standards. One ID is a set of global industry standards for using digital identity and biometrics across the passenger journey. These support a journey where passengers confirm their identity and travel documents before reaching the airport, then pass through checkpoints using facial recognition instead of repeatedly showing their passport and boarding pass. IATA’s 2026 Global Passenger Survey found that 78% of passengers would be willing to share their biometric information in order to avoid having to present physical travel documentation at airport checkpoints, IATA said. Certification is part of IATA’s broader work to support the adoption of digital identity across the passenger journey.
Organizations can be certified in one or more of four areas of activity: Digitalization of Admissibility, Contactless Travel, Biometric Handling, and Privacy, Consent, and Governance. The certification is open to airlines, airports, and technology providers. As the first organizations to achieve One ID Certification, Air New Zealand and Hong Kong International Airport were certified across all areas applicable to their respective operations.
IATA is exploring several solutions and guidance that will bring efficiency to payments to airlines. Also, the IATA highlighted the challenge to turn advances in digitalization across airline retailing, payments, and digital identity into even better passenger journeys and a more efficient, financially resilient industry.
Modern Airline Retailing is central to adapting to this changing marketplace, and the transition is already under way.
