IATA Survey: Travellers Adopt Biometrics and AI, Face Visa Hurdles
The 2026 Global Passenger Survey by IATA reveals nearly half of travellers use AI for planning, with high satisfaction in biometrics, yet 43% are discouraged by complex entry rules.
IATA Survey Reveals Tech Adoption and Travel Hurdles
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released the findings of its 2026 Global Passenger Survey (GPS) on 28 October 2026, indicating a clear shift in traveller preferences towards digital tools while highlighting persistent challenges with entry procedures.
The survey shows that passengers are increasingly comfortable with technology to streamline their journeys, including artificial intelligence (AI) for planning and biometrics for airport processes.
However, a significant portion of travellers continues to encounter difficulties with complex immigration and visa requirements, which IATA identifies as a growing impediment to international travel.
Nick Careen, IATA's Senior Vice President, Operations, Safety and Security, called for governments to simplify these processes, eliminate redundant checks, and expedite the adoption of secure digital travel credentials.
Rising Acceptance of Biometrics and AI in Travel
The GPS data shows a strong uptake of advanced technologies among air travellers. Nearly six out of ten passengers reported using biometrics at least once over the past 12 months, with satisfaction levels reaching an all-time high. Travellers also expressed considerable interest in utilising digital passports to simplify their trips.
Despite this enthusiasm, concerns persist regarding data security: 59% of respondents worried about data breaches, 49% about information being shared with other organisations, and 41% desired greater clarity on how their personal data is managed.
In the realm of planning, almost half (49%) of all surveyed travellers have already employed AI tools for their travel arrangements, prompting IATA to advise airlines on ensuring their offerings are discoverable via AI and converting these interactions into actual bookings.
Complex Entry Requirements Deter International Travel
While travellers embrace technological advancements, IATA's survey points to immigration requirements as a growing deterrent. The proportion of passengers discouraged from visiting a destination due to complex entry rules rose to 43%, a notable increase from 33% reported in 2025.
Passengers expressed a clear preference for visa processes that are faster, initiated earlier in the travel planning phase, and fully digital. Although over 100 countries now issue eVisas, IATA noted a lack of consistent standards for their verification, which complicates efficient checking by airlines.
Nick Careen urged governments to adopt common standards and existing tools to harmonise eVisa procedures, enabling travellers to apply online and complete immigration steps before reaching the airport.
Asia-Pacific Travellers Lead in Satisfaction, Face Visa Hurdles
The survey offered specific regional insights, with Asia-Pacific travellers reporting the highest overall satisfaction among all regions. This group also demonstrated the second-highest willingness globally to adopt biometrics, although significant concerns about data breaches remain prevalent.
Echoing global trends, the complexity of immigration requirements also serves as a deterrent for many Asia-Pacific travellers.
This regional perspective underscores a dual challenge: while the appetite for efficient, technology-driven travel is high, particularly in a dynamic market like Asia, the current fragmentation and complexity of visa and entry processes risk hindering the full potential of travel recovery and growth.
Governments in the region could benefit from collaborating on unified digital travel credential frameworks to meet these evolving passenger expectations.
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