Source: IATA     The International Air Transport Association (IATA) published the results of several digital identity Proofs of Concept (PoCs) completed with the support of airlines, airports, technology providers and governments across Europe and Asia-Pacific. The successful PoCs demonstrated that contactless, biometric-enabled international travel is already achievable with digital identity replacing paper documentation. Working together as part of the IATA Strategic Partnerships Program, the partners tested how digital identity stored in mobile wallets and biometric verification can support seamless passenger journeys without repeated paper document checks. Importantly, the PoCs demonstrated that interoperability of systems is sufficiently advanced to support contactless journeys involving multiple carriers and using different digital identity wallets (including Digital ID in Apple Wallet for US Passport [...]

Source: ASA ASA World calls for shared responsibility and constructive dialogue across the aviation value chain The Aviation Services Association (ASA) is highlighting the growing financial pressures facing ground handling organizations (GHOs) as rising global fuel costs reverberate across the aviation sector. Airlines have responded to higher fuel prices by introducing passenger surcharges, while simultaneously pressing suppliers — including GHOs — to absorb cost reductions. This places GHOs in an increasingly difficult position: facing the same fuel-driven cost increases as airlines, yet expected to shoulder additional financial burden with fewer means to offset it. Labor accounts for 50 to 65 percent of GHO operating expenditure, and operators are firmly resisting pressure to reduce workforce levels as a cost-mitigation measure. The [...]

Source: IATA     The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for February 2026 global passenger demand with the following highlights: Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 6.1% compared to February 2025. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), increased 5.6% year-on-year. The load factor was 81.4% (+0.3 ppt compared to February 2025), the highest February figure on record. International demand rose 5.9% compared to February 2025. Capacity was up 5.3% year-on-year, and the load factor was 80.5% (+0.5 ppt compared to February 2025). Domestic demand increased 6.3% compared to February 2025. Capacity increased 6.2% year-on-year. The load factor was 82.8% (+0.1 ppt compared to February 2025). “With an RPK expansion of 6.1%, February was a strong [...]