(Joint Release) World's First: Proof-of-Concept for Facial Recognition Boarding and Transfers Utilizing Digital Identity
Japan Airlines and Tokyo International Airport Terminal successfully conducted a proof-of-concept for facial recognition boarding and transfers using digital identity, as part of an IATA program. This marks the world's first successful use of digital identity for transfers, aiming for a future of contactless and seamless travel.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 22:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 00:02 (1h 32m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 02:04 (2h 2m after Collected)
April 22, 2026
Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.
Tokyo International Airport Terminal Co., Ltd.
Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, JAL) and Tokyo International Airport Terminal Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, TIAT) have jointly participated in the "Data & Technology Proof of Concepts (*1)" program organized by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
In this program, a Proof of Concept (PoC) was conducted to realize a next-generation boarding experience utilizing digital identity (*2). Specifically, boarding and transfers for flights were carried out using facial recognition based on information pre-linked to a smartphone's mobile wallet. The successful experiment of utilizing digital identity for transfers is a world first.
If this system is put into practical use, it is expected that not only will passport presentation at check-in counters become unnecessary, but in the future, all processes including security checks, immigration, boarding, and transfers will be able to be performed contactlessly and seamlessly. This PoC is the first step towards realizing a smoother and more comfortable boarding experience for customers.
(*1) https://www.iata.org/en/programs/innovation/data-tech/#tab-4
(*2) The totality of various attribute information that constitutes a specific user in the digital world.
[Overview of the PoC]
When booking an airline ticket via a smartphone app, digital certificates (Verifiable Credentials, hereinafter "VC") (*3) such as boarding passes and passports, along with facial information, are pre-linked to a mobile wallet. By linking this digital identity to the airport system, boarding and transfers at the airport are performed solely by facial recognition.
This series of processes was verified across multiple use cases, and to meet the diversifying needs of customers, the feasibility and challenges towards standardizing digital identity-related technologies were confirmed.
(*3) A mechanism for securely signing and verifying digital identity documents and qualifications using cryptographic technology.
Use Cases
(*4) A prototype demo wallet app envisioned as an extension of the current Face Express service.
Verification Route: Haneda - (JL029) - Hong Kong - (BA032) - London
[Main Achievements of the PoC]
In connecting flights, the following technologies were demonstrated:
・Demonstrated identity verification and interoperability using three types of mobile wallets.
・Supported two types of biometric authentication methods (1:1 authentication and 1:N (many) authentication (*5)) for airport facilities (transfer security gates, boarding gates).
・Confirmed that integration with existing systems is possible by utilizing existing airport facilities (*6).
This confirmed that the procedures from booking to boarding can be significantly simplified, and human errors can be reduced. These results are expected to form the basis for future technical standardization.
(*5) Authentication methods in biometrics. 1:1 authentication determines if two facial photos are identical. 1:N (many) authentication identifies a specific individual from multiple registered facial photos. Biometric (facial recognition) equipment at airports varies by country; Haneda/Hong Kong uses 1:N (many) authentication, while London uses 1:1 authentication.
(*6) Such as security gates and boarding gates. Utilizing "Face Express" at Haneda Airport and "Flight Token" at Hong Kong Airport. For this demonstration, a separate test mock-up environment was prepared and tested at Haneda Airport.
[Scenes from the PoC]
Please watch to see what the future boarding experience will be like.
Video link: https://youtu.be/_RPCLr2NNEE
For more details, please refer to the IATA website below:
URL: https://www.iata.org/data-tech#tab-4
JAL and TIAT will continue to actively participate in proof-of-concept experiments and challenge further transformations in aviation services, utilizing the knowledge and technology gained from this PoC to provide a more comfortable air travel experience tailored to the needs of each customer.
End
Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.
Tokyo International Airport Terminal Co., Ltd.
Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, JAL) and Tokyo International Airport Terminal Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, TIAT) have jointly participated in the "Data & Technology Proof of Concepts (*1)" program organized by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
In this program, a Proof of Concept (PoC) was conducted to realize a next-generation boarding experience utilizing digital identity (*2). Specifically, boarding and transfers for flights were carried out using facial recognition based on information pre-linked to a smartphone's mobile wallet. The successful experiment of utilizing digital identity for transfers is a world first.
If this system is put into practical use, it is expected that not only will passport presentation at check-in counters become unnecessary, but in the future, all processes including security checks, immigration, boarding, and transfers will be able to be performed contactlessly and seamlessly. This PoC is the first step towards realizing a smoother and more comfortable boarding experience for customers.
(*1) https://www.iata.org/en/programs/innovation/data-tech/#tab-4
(*2) The totality of various attribute information that constitutes a specific user in the digital world.
[Overview of the PoC]
When booking an airline ticket via a smartphone app, digital certificates (Verifiable Credentials, hereinafter "VC") (*3) such as boarding passes and passports, along with facial information, are pre-linked to a mobile wallet. By linking this digital identity to the airport system, boarding and transfers at the airport are performed solely by facial recognition.
This series of processes was verified across multiple use cases, and to meet the diversifying needs of customers, the feasibility and challenges towards standardizing digital identity-related technologies were confirmed.
(*3) A mechanism for securely signing and verifying digital identity documents and qualifications using cryptographic technology.
Use Cases
(*4) A prototype demo wallet app envisioned as an extension of the current Face Express service.
Verification Route: Haneda - (JL029) - Hong Kong - (BA032) - London
[Main Achievements of the PoC]
In connecting flights, the following technologies were demonstrated:
・Demonstrated identity verification and interoperability using three types of mobile wallets.
・Supported two types of biometric authentication methods (1:1 authentication and 1:N (many) authentication (*5)) for airport facilities (transfer security gates, boarding gates).
・Confirmed that integration with existing systems is possible by utilizing existing airport facilities (*6).
This confirmed that the procedures from booking to boarding can be significantly simplified, and human errors can be reduced. These results are expected to form the basis for future technical standardization.
(*5) Authentication methods in biometrics. 1:1 authentication determines if two facial photos are identical. 1:N (many) authentication identifies a specific individual from multiple registered facial photos. Biometric (facial recognition) equipment at airports varies by country; Haneda/Hong Kong uses 1:N (many) authentication, while London uses 1:1 authentication.
(*6) Such as security gates and boarding gates. Utilizing "Face Express" at Haneda Airport and "Flight Token" at Hong Kong Airport. For this demonstration, a separate test mock-up environment was prepared and tested at Haneda Airport.
[Scenes from the PoC]
Please watch to see what the future boarding experience will be like.
Video link: https://youtu.be/_RPCLr2NNEE
For more details, please refer to the IATA website below:
URL: https://www.iata.org/data-tech#tab-4
JAL and TIAT will continue to actively participate in proof-of-concept experiments and challenge further transformations in aviation services, utilizing the knowledge and technology gained from this PoC to provide a more comfortable air travel experience tailored to the needs of each customer.
End