Overview
- In a March pilot on return Auckland–Hong Kong flights, selected passengers used a digital ID that worked from online check-in through airport touchpoints.
- Participants added passport details in the Air NZ app, shared a verified ID at online check-in, and passed checkpoints with a live face scan matched to their passport photo.
- The trial connected to key systems including the New Zealand Traveller Declaration, the IATA Travel Directory, and Hong Kong International Airport’s Flight Token, and it supported Apple Wallet Digital ID.
- Air New Zealand says customers controlled what data was shared and when, with consent-driven access and encrypted handling built into the process.
- The airline will share results with IATA and pursue broader pilots across more ports, a move that could shorten queues and speed border checks if government partners align.