Digital passports, biometric checks and artificial intelligence are becoming more common in travel, but European travellers remain cautious about sharing personal information through digital systems, according to the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) 2026 Global Passenger Survey.
The survey, which gathered more than 10,000 responses from 200 countries, found that 70% of European travellers were willing to share biometric data for airport processes. This was below the global average of 78%, with travellers in the Middle East and Africa showing greater willingness at 84% and 82%, respectively.
Europeans were also less enthusiastic about using digital passports for online check-in. While 79% expressed interest in the option, the global figure stood at 84%, suggesting that convenience alone may not be enough to persuade every traveller to embrace digital identity systems.
Concerns about personal data remain a significant factor. Across all respondents, 59% said they were worried about data breaches, while 49% were concerned about their information being shared with other organisations. Another 41% said they lacked clarity about how their personal details were handled.
Despite these reservations, the use of biometric technology has grown considerably. IATA reported that 58% of passengers had experienced biometric processes at least once during the previous 12 months, compared with 34% in 2022.
Biometrics can allow travellers to verify their identity through facial recognition, fingerprints or other physical characteristics, potentially reducing the need to present travel documents repeatedly at different stages of a journey.
Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President of Operations, Safety and Security, said more passengers were experiencing biometric systems and wanted to use them more often. He argued that the technology could make journeys smoother while helping governments and airlines improve the efficiency and security of their processes.
However, wider adoption of digital passports will require governments to agree on a framework for issuing and accepting secure digital travel credentials, Careen said.
The survey suggests that many passengers are open to sharing travel information digitally when doing so offers practical benefits. Some 82% of respondents said they would share a digital passport with an airline when booking or after payment to receive personalised services, including information about visa requirements.
An equal proportion said they would use a smartphone combining a digital wallet, digital passport and loyalty cards to book trips, make payments and navigate airport procedures at departure and arrival.
These findings point to growing interest in managing more of the travel process through a single digital platform. However, the gap between willingness to use convenient services and concerns about data protection highlights the importance of explaining how personal information is collected, stored and shared.
Artificial intelligence is also becoming part of the travel planning process. According to IATA, 49% of respondents had used AI to help plan a trip. Some 21% had used it to search for flights to a particular destination, while 19% had used it to find cheaper flights. Another 17% said they had used AI for travel inspiration.
Careen said airlines needed to ensure their services appeared in AI-powered search and planning tools, while making it easy for travellers to turn recommendations into actual bookings.
The findings suggest that AI is beginning to influence how people discover destinations and compare travel options. For airlines, the challenge will be to connect these digital conversations with booking systems that allow passengers to complete their plans without unnecessary steps.
Immigration requirements remain another obstacle, even as the travel industry explores technology intended to make journeys easier.
IATA’s survey found that 43% of travellers worldwide had been discouraged from visiting a destination because of its immigration requirements, up from 33% in the 2025 survey. The figure was highest among African travellers, at 52%, while 38% of European respondents said entry requirements had put them off travelling to a destination.
Among those discouraged by immigration procedures, 53% cited complexity as the main reason. Cost and privacy concerns were each cited by 17%.
The results highlight how visa applications and entry procedures can influence travel decisions before passengers even book their journeys. Requirements that are difficult to understand, expensive to complete or perceived as intrusive may lead some travellers to consider alternative destinations.
Many respondents, however, expressed interest in completing these procedures digitally. Some 86% said they would be likely to share immigration information electronically before departure. Meanwhile, 45% preferred to complete immigration procedures before reaching the airport, and 60% favoured applying for visas online.
Only 25% said they would prefer to submit visa applications in person at a consulate or embassy.
Careen said electronic visas could help passengers complete immigration requirements before travelling, but he argued that governments needed to adopt common standards to make verification more efficient for airlines. Although more than 100 countries issue electronic visas, he said, the lack of consistency in how they are checked creates difficulties.
For travellers, the findings point to a growing choice between traditional paperwork and digital services that promise faster processing. The survey also shows that people are not necessarily opposed to travel technology itself. Their willingness to use it often depends on whether it saves time, simplifies procedures and gives them confidence that their personal information will be handled appropriately.
As airlines and governments consider wider use of biometric checks, digital passports and AI-assisted services, the challenge will be to make these systems work across borders without leaving passengers uncertain about privacy, security or entry requirements.
