Everyone agrees that security at border crossings is of paramount importance. However, industry bodies and other stakeholders agree that a better and less stressful user journey would be optimal for all concerned, provided security isn’t compromised. With recent technical advances in biometrics and an increasing push to standardize protocols and platforms worldwide, those needs could soon be balanced, and more efficient border crossings may soon be at hand.
While we all know how chaotic international travel can be, the future is certainly brighter. The act of crossing borders is on the verge of becoming much easier, and a smarter, smoother, more efficient experience is just around the corner. Think of it as a seamless travel experience, driven by passenger need on the one hand, and advances in crucial technologies on the other. In this new Spotlight “Mini Movie,” we showcase a unique new way to think about travel.
Stakeholders in border crossings must balance two priorities, broadly. They are:
One answer to this balancing act is automation. Industry bodies have long been pushing for more automation across the user journey. Now, technological advances in areas such as biometric collection and verification have the potential to move us forward on that journey.
This new sort of journey starts at home, with the passenger filling out a digital travel authorization (DTA) at their leisure on their device. At the port of departure, they can scan their ePassport at an eGate, or scan their biometrics at specially designed eKiosks. Pre-screened travelers can benefit from special lanes designed to speed them through the process. At their gate, they scan their boarding pass and board their vessel.
At the port of arrival, the procedure is much the same. In fact, with the rollout of digital travel credentials (DTCs), the entire journey will get even easier, with all the data required to actually cross borders available easily on a mobile device. Biometrics holds the key to this automation process.
However, regulatory approval across the world and ground realities such as differing levels of infrastructure do present obstacles. Organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) are making the case for standardized travel documents and protocols, which holds out hope for more acceptance of technical solutions such as DTAs and DTCs.
A truly frictionless travel experience may not be possible quite yet. But given the direction of “travel,” seasoned travelers and first-timers alike can feel quietly optimistic that journeys that are secure without being stressful are in sight.
Published: 07/10/2025
Don’t miss out on the latest articles in G+D SPOTLIGHT: by subscribing to our newsletter, you’ll be kept up to date on latest trends, ideas, and technical innovations – straight to your inbox every month.
