The global aviation industry is moving rapidly towards digital identity-based travel, with more than 1.2 billion airline passengers expected to use Digital Travel Credentials (DTCs) by 2035 as governments, airports and airlines accelerate investment in smarter border management and passenger processing systems.
The projection, contained in a new report by technology research firm Juniper Research, signals a major development in how travellers will move across international borders, with digital identity increasingly emerging as a critical component of airport modernisation and aviation efficiency.
According to the report, DTC adoption will rise from approximately 105.4 million users in 2027 to more than 1.2 billion by 2035, representing growth of over 1,000 percent as demand rises for faster, more secure and seamless international travel.
The rapid expansion is expected to create new investment opportunities across the aviation technology ecosystem, including biometric authentication, digital identity platforms, cybersecurity, border management software and secure data-sharing infrastructure.
Digital Travel Credentials are encrypted digital versions of travel documents that enable passengers to verify their identity electronically before and during their journey. By integrating digital identity with biometric authentication, the system allows travellers to complete parts of immigration and border clearance without repeated physical document inspections, reducing processing times and easing congestion at airports.
Juniper Research said growing frustration over long immigration queues, document verification procedures and border delays is encouraging governments to accelerate deployment of digital identity programmes as international passenger traffic continues to recover.
For airports and airlines, the commercial implications extend beyond passenger convenience. Faster identity verification can improve aircraft turnaround times, reduce congestion at terminals and lower operational costs by enabling more efficient passenger processing as global travel volumes continue to expand.
The report shows that the transition could also generate significant business opportunities for technology companies supplying biometric verification systems, digital identity infrastructure and secure information exchange platforms, as aviation stakeholders increasingly prioritise digital transformation.
Several jurisdictions have already begun implementing the technology. Singapore has introduced passport-free biometric immigration clearance for eligible travellers, while the European Union’s APTITUDE consortium is developing a common digital identity framework that will enable participating countries to exchange traveller information securely using shared standards.
Despite the accelerating pace of adoption, Juniper Research said traditional passports are unlikely to disappear in the foreseeable future. Instead, Digital Travel Credentials are expected to complement existing travel documents over the next decade, with fully passport-free international travel not anticipated before around 2040.
The research firm identified international interoperability (not technology), as the industry’s biggest challenge. While the digital systems required for implementation already exist, countries must establish trusted legal and regulatory frameworks that allow mutual recognition of digital identities without compromising national security.
The findings underscore how digital identity is becoming a strategic investment priority for the global aviation industry as airports seek to improve operational efficiency while accommodating rising passenger demand.
Although African countries, including Nigeria, have yet to introduce nationwide Digital Travel Credential programmes, the report suggests the technology could become increasingly relevant as governments invest in airport digitalisation, biometric border controls and modern aviation infrastructure. For policymakers and investors alike, digital identity is emerging as one of the next major frontiers in the business of global air transport.
