South African travellers could soon stop carrying passports and boarding passes, as the aviation industry pushes digital travel credentials, according to a report by BusinessTech. The change would affect anyone who flies in or out of the country, from leisure holidaymakers to business executives, by moving the core identity check from a paper document to a secure digital profile.
The push is underpinned by a global survey carried out by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). More than 10,000 respondents in over 200 countries said they would like to use digital passports for online check-in, with just over 80% expressing interest. At the same time, around 60% flagged worries about biometric data breaches, highlighting a tension between convenience and privacy.
Digital travel credentials, often called digital passports, are essentially encrypted electronic records that store a traveller’s identity data, including facial biometrics, in a mobile app or cloud platform. Biometric identification means the system matches a live scan of a traveller’s face, fingerprint or iris with the stored data, removing the need for a physical document at check-in, security or immigration gates.
Linden Birns, managing director of Plane Talking, said the survey’s biggest finding was the gap between passenger willingness to adopt digital solutions and governments’ ability to implement them. He noted that while travellers appear ready, many governments still rely on disparate passport systems, travel authorisations and visa requirements, making seamless cross-border use of digital credentials difficult.
Standards and interoperability hurdles
Birns pointed out that several countries have not yet adopted the passport recommendations of the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which sets the technical standards for aviation documents. The lack of a common framework means electronic immigration gates can reject passports issued by certain nations, creating bottlenecks at busy hubs.
In South Africa, the Department of Home Affairs and the Border Management Authority are exploring ways to modernise travel and border processes. Implementation would also involve Airports Company South Africa and the South African Revenue Service, meaning significant coordination and investment across multiple public bodies.
Beyond replacing paper documents, digital credentials could streamline a range of services: hotel check-ins, airline bookings and even airport security checks could be handled through a single digital profile. The potential efficiency gains are especially attractive for a country that relies heavily on tourism, trade and investment.
Data-security concerns remain a major obstacle. The IATA survey showed that many respondents fear personal information could be stolen, that biometric data might be shared without clear consent, and that storage practices are opaque. Birns said governments will need a robust legal and technical framework to protect personal data while allowing cross-border acceptance of digital passports.
Andy Smith, director of industry and innovation at SITA, told BusinessTech that the technology is now within reach. “It’s a very exciting journey and one we’ve been on for a while,” he said. “Travellers will be able to complete most of the process before they even leave for the airport, and enjoy a seamless experience through security and at the destination.”
IATA added that governments can now begin putting in place the legal, technical and operational structures needed to issue and accept Digital Travel Credentials across borders. The timeline will depend on how quickly national agencies can align with ICAO standards and agree on data-privacy safeguards.
For South African businesses that rely on international travel, from mining firms to export-driven manufacturers, the shift could reduce downtime caused by long queues and visa checks. However, the transition will require coordinated policy action, funding for new infrastructure and clear communication to reassure travellers that their biometric data is safe.
Read more about similar technology trends in our Tech & Telco coverage.
