Aviation coalition seeks voluntary biometric rules in EU

A new coalition of aviation and travel-technology companies, including ACI EUROPE, Amadeus, IATA, IDEMIA Public Security, and SITA, has formed the Responsible Biometrics Travel Industry Coalition. The group is advocating for European Union policymakers to ensure that the upcoming Digital Omnibus legislation supports the voluntary and secure use of biometric technology in air travel.

The coalition is calling for technology-neutral rules that allow passengers to opt into facial recognition and other biometric tools while maintaining a practical, non-biometric alternative for those who choose to decline. They emphasize that biometric data usage should be limited to specific journeys and that travelers must retain the right to request the deletion of their data.

From an operational standpoint, the industry argues that biometrics can increase airport efficiency by reducing manual document checks and shortening queues during peak travel periods. The group suggests that clear regulatory certainty will encourage continued investment in aviation infrastructure and technology.