Air New Zealand have completed a successful trial of digital ID, allowing passengers to add passport information in the airline’s Air NZ app.
The pilot took place in March on an Auckland-Hong Kong flight. Customers were able to share their digital ID in-app and pass through the airports via biometric scans. The biometrics system matches live facial scans to passport information, reducing the need for document checks at key bottlenecks. Digital IDs were accessible in Apple Wallet for customer convenience.
Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Digital Officer Jeremy O’Brien commented:
Our ambition is to make travel easier from start to finish. That means fewer document checks, less time queueing and a smoother experience overall. This trial shows how digital identity could help create a more seamless journey, while also improving security through encrypted data and customer-controlled information sharing.
Integration with the New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD), a compulsory online form for all passengers entering the country, further facilitated passenger journeys. External partners including IATA Travel Directory and Hong Kong International Airport’s Flight Token framework contributed to make the pilot a success.
Air New Zealand say they are looking to expand digital ID adoption in future, especially on routes to Australia. Additionally, data from the trial will be shared with IATA to see what lessons can be drawn for the industry as a whole. The carrier follows in the footsteps of other airlines ramping up digital ID integration, including Lufthansa who successfully tested the tech in partnership with Amadeus in summer 2025.
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