(Posted 08th April 2025)

SITA, the global leader in air transport technology and border management, and NEC Corporation (NEC), a global leader in biometric authentication technologies, have signed an agreement to accelerate the adoption of digital identity technology in the travel industry.

Through this collaboration, NEC joins , an open, interoperable framework that connects various systems for . Developed in partnership with Indicio, SITA’s ecosystem eliminates the need for direct integrations between issuers and verifiers, simplifying adoption for airports, airlines, and governments.

At the core of the ecosystem is the , which governs how digital credentials are shared securely around the world. Built with a privacy-by-design approach, it gives travelers , including when and with whom they share their credentials. Strong emphasis on data security and privacy means that personal information remains protected and in the hands of the traveler.

With 28% of airlines and 43% of airports planning to implement biometric identity management solutions in the next 12 months (SITA Air Transport IT Insights 2024), demand for interoperable systems is growing. A  has slowed widespread adoption, but the SITA-NEC collaboration addresses this challenge through a .

“,” said Jeremy Springall, Senior Vice President of Borders at SITA. “With NEC’s biometric expertise and SITA’s industry-leading footprint of biometric touchpoints around the world, we’re well-positioned to accelerate the transformation of Digital Travel worldwide.”

“,” added Nanaumi Nagamine, Senior Director of the DID Department at NEC. “.”

By addressing longstanding interoperability challenges, the SITA and NEC collaboration will increase the adoption of digital identities by passengers, helping the industry reduce bottlenecks, improve security, and enhance the passenger experience at every touchpoint.

0