New Coalition Calls for Balanced EU Biometric Travel Regulations

COURBEVOIE, France, Oct. 1, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- A new coalition of industry leaders has called on European Union policymakers to ensure the Digital Omnibus legislative package supports the voluntary and secure use of biometrics in travel, while protecting passenger choice and privacy. The coalition, which includes ACI EUROPE, Amadeus, IATA, IDEMIA Public Security, and SITA, aims to create a balanced regulatory approach that enhances the travel experience for air passengers and maintains high standards of data protection and cybersecurity.

ACI EUROPE, the European region of Airports Council International, represents over 600 airports in 55 countries, facilitating over 95% of commercial air traffic in Europe. Air transport supports 14 million jobs, generating €851 billion in economic activity, or 5% of the European GDP. In response to the Climate Emergency, in June 2019, ACI EUROPE's members committed to achieving Net Zero carbon emissions for operations under their control by 2050, without offsetting. Based in Brussels, ACI EUROPE leads and serves the European airport industry and maintains strong links with other ACI regions worldwide.

Amadeus, an IBEX 35 company listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange, makes the travel experience better for everyone, everywhere. As the technology backbone of the travel and tourism industry, Amadeus powers airlines, airports, hotels, and travel sellers, enabling global scale operations. Amadeus supports over 370 airlines, accounting for some 85% of global air traffic.

The coalition seeks a technology-neutral regulatory framework that allows the voluntary use of biometric data, where appropriate safeguards are in place, and offers passengers non-biometric alternatives. Biometrics can make travel more seamless for passengers and deliver significant operational benefits for airports and airlines. By reducing repeated manual document checks, biometric verification increases throughput, improves passenger flows, and helps airports use existing terminal infrastructure more efficiently. It also helps airports better manage peak periods and traffic growth, allowing staff to focus on passengers who need assistance or additional attention.

According to IATA's Global Passenger Survey, 74% of travelers are willing to share biometric data in place of showing a passport or boarding pass. The coalition believes that the benefits of biometrics should go hand in hand with strong protections for passenger privacy and the ability for passengers to choose whether to share or request to delete their data at any time. The use of biometric solutions should be voluntary, secure, and limited to a defined journey.

IDEMIA Public Security, a global technology leader with over 12,500 employees, is a trusted provider of government-grade and secure biometric-based solutions for 600 government, state, and federal agencies. IDEMIA's two market-leading divisions, IDEMIA Secure Transactions and IDEMIA Public Security, deliver mission-critical solutions that simplify and secure interactions in the physical and digital realms.

SITA, the air transport industry's tech engine, makes travel safer, easier, and more sustainable for everyone. SITA's technology supports over 1,000 airports and more than 19,600 aircraft worldwide, helping over 70 governments strike the balance between secure borders and seamless journeys. Behind the scenes, SITA bridges 45-50% of the industry's data exchange, enabling a highly complex global network to operate smoothly and reliably, every step of the way. SITA operates in more than 200 countries and territories.

The coalition's manifesto outlines a balanced, evidence-based approach to biometric technologies, supporting public-private dialog to help Europe respond to growing passenger volumes and limited airport capacity, while strengthening the competitiveness of its transport and tourism sectors. The coalition calls for the Digital Omnibus to adopt rules that facilitate a secure and seamless future for more than a billion European air travelers each year.