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Week of August 12, 2019 One ID: A step closer to reality MIKE DUNBAR nd-to-end seamless travel across borders came a step closer to reality when IATA member airlines meeting in Seoul for this year’s AGM unanimously resolved to accelerate the global implementation of the One ID initiative, which will be based on Ea single biometric identifi er to move passengers through Our vision is a paperless future where your airports without the need for paper travel documents. face is all you need to travel around the world Prior to the vote, IATA director general Alexandre de Juniac told delegates, “One ID will boost effi ciency from safely and securely, and this could happen tomorrow check-in to boarding to the benefi t of passengers, airports and control authorities.” if there’s the will. “To make this happen, we must work with governments to agree on global standards, harmonize approaches, sort “announced the launch of a Known Traveler The paper explained that passengers out privacy issues, integrate with existing infrastructure, and Digital Identity (KTDI) pilot project that will will establish a “known traveller status” agree to the implementation process,” explained de Juniac. result in the fi rst end-to-end paperless journey over time through the accumulation of And he added, “Every traveller will appreciate the conven- between Canada and the Netherlands early “attestations” or claims that are proven ience of getting from the curb to the gate without ever having next year. and declared by trusted partners, such as to show a paper passport or boarding pass.” The initiative forges collaboration between border agencies and recognized airlines. Pierre Charbonneau, IATA’s director of passenger experi- the two governments and their border And it pointed out that the result will ence and facilitation told an AGM press briefi ng, “Our vision authorities with industry partners Air Canada be a reusable digital identity that will is a paperless future where your face is all you need to travel and KLM along with Pearson, Trudeau and facilitate more streamlined and tailored around the world safely and securely, and this could happen Schiphol airports to create an interoperable interactions with governments, airlines tomorrow, if there’s the will.” system for secure and seamless travel, and other partners. He declared, “It’s a no-brainer because every party bene- explained WEF mobility head Christoph Wolff Transport minister Marc Garneau told fi ts. For instance, One ID means arriving and departing pas- at a Montreal airport briefi ng. briefi ng participants, “Canada is please to sengers could co-mingle, freeing up airport space and 65% of He explained, “By 2030, international air collaborate with the WEF, the Netherlands surveyed passengers said they’d do anything to improve the travel is expected to rise to 1.8 billion passen- government and our industry partners to current process.” gers – up 50% from 2016 and with current enhance aviation security and make inter- He added, “A standard interoperable and harmonized systems airports cannot keep up. This project national air travel safer by testing new and process is what we’re looking for, and we intend to manage offers a solution and will shape the future of emerging technologies.” the data securely to allay passenger fears about what’s aviation and security.” “The KTDI pilot project will help facilitate happening to their information.” According to a WEF backgrounder seamless air travel and benefi t the world Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum (WEF) recently KTDI will provide a frictionless travel experi- economy by enhancing the traveller experi- ence, while allowing passengers to have ence, while ensuring that cross-border greater control over their personal data. security is maintained,” he offered. The identity data usually stored on a pass- Ankie Broekers-Knol, Netherlands port chip will instead be securely stored and minister for migration, added, “This project encrypted on a mobile device and passengers is a perfect example of the importance of will be able to consent to share it with border public-private partnership in implementing authorities, airlines and technology pilot part- innovations in the aviation sector and ners in advance. border management.” PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40063078. 0812PG01-02.indd 1 2019-08-08 4:17:21 PM Halifax Canada’s newest stopover destination alifax has joined popular destinations such as Iceland, Finland and Lisbon, Portugal as Canada’s newest stopover destination, connecting several North American and European cities to Halifax. HThe Stopover Halifax program opens the door for arriving and connecting passengers at Halifax Stanfi eld to enjoy unique experiences. Designed for travellers with as little as seven hours up to seven days, the program promotes experiences such as strolling along Halifax’s bustling boardwalk, hiking scenic trails at the ocean’s edge, dining on fresh lob- ster, exploring iconic Peggy’s Cove and more. “We know that Halifax’s location on Canada’s East Coast provides a great opportunity for travellers to experience the best of Halifax on their journey between Europe and North America,” said Erica Pellerin, vice-president, marketing and visitor experience, Discover Halifax. “This program will help make our region more accessible, affordable and desirable to visitors who we know are interested in travelling here.” Discover Halifax continues to develop and focus on experiences and “We’re thrilled to work with Discover Halifax, WestJet and our pro- experiential tourism a growing global trend through initiatives such as the gram partners to enhance the experiences of arriving and connecting newly launched Handpicked Halifax program and custom “stress-free” passengers at Halifax Stanfi eld with a stopover,” said Tiffany Chase, dir- experience packages for layover travellers. Discover Halifax and Halifax ector, Public Affairs & Marketing, Halifax International Airport Authority. International Airport Authority have been working closely over the last “Stopover programs are offered by many destinations and airlines six months to create this new Stopover Halifax program, with the help of around the world with more international air access than ever before, Canadian airline partner WestJet. Halifax Stanfi eld is serving more domestic and international passengers, “As WestJet’s global network continues to grow, we’re looking for- and it makes perfect sense to give them additional reasons to stay a ward to our guests experiencing everything Halifax has to offer through little longer in our beautiful part of Canada.” the Stopover Halifax Program,” said Brian Znotins, WestJet vice-presi- Halifax Stanfi eld International Airport served a record 4.3 million dent, Network Planning and Alliances. “As the carrier with the most passengers last year, a 20% increase from 2013. transatlantic fl ights from YHZ and convenient options from destinations “As we further develop this program, we’re confi dent it will continue across Canada and US, WestJet is proud to support tourism opportun- to drive Halifax’s tourism momentum, bringing more passengers to ities across Nova Scotia, and we’re thrilled to provide our guests greater Halifax Stanfi eld and visitors to experience all our region has to offer,” access into and out of Halifax Stanfi eld.” said Pellerin. “We want more people to fall in love with Halifax and Nova There are two ways WestJet guests can book a Stopover to Halifax: Scotia that’s what this really is all about.” booking directly through their travel agent or booking through WestJet. (www.stopoverhalifax.com) IATA LAUNCHES MATCHMAKER IATA has launched the NDC Matchmaker – a free web-based tool to Group (TMAG). The TMAG is composed of key corporate travel man- bring more visibility to travel distribution stakeholders that are collabor- agers and procurement professionals in Europe and North America who ating on implementations of the New Distribution Capability (NDC). meet regularly to address the challenges, opportunities and benefi ts of The NDC Matchmaker enables airlines, travel sellers and content NDC for corporate travel buyers. aggregators (such as global distribution systems) to search, compare Claudia Adams, chair of the European TMAG, said: “The NDC and connect with NDC partners. It increases transparency of their NDC Matchmaker will bring greater transparency to the marketplace and will capabilities and facilitates cooperation among different participants in help corporate buyers to understand which airlines are offering NDC the travel value chain that are engaged in their own journeys to airline content through their partners.” industry retailing. The NDC Matchmaker was premiered at the GBTA’s The NDC Matchmaker already includes more than 80 NDC connec- 2019 Convention in Chicago. tions between airlines and their travel seller partners. Participants can Yanik Hoyles, IATA’s director, industry distribution programs said: display their NDC content and partnerships and be searched by category “The NDC Matchmaker responds to corporate travel buyers’ need to as airlines/sellers/aggregators; by type of products and services avail- have greater insight into airlines, travel sellers and aggregators partici- able; or by country. pating in the NDC space. It is also about companies being able to be “The more companies that use it, the more benefi ts it will create for showcased through a user-friendly tool.” the travel value chain,” said Hoyles. The concept was put forward by IATA’s Travel Manager Advisory Go to www.iata.org. 2 • CANADIAN TRAVEL PRESS • AUGUST 12, 2019 0812PG01-02.indd 2 2019-08-08 4:17:01 PM AquaTheater BIGGER. BOLDER. GAMECHANGER. The original gamechanger is running up the score again — loaded with all new adventures in the biggest Royal Amplified reimagining ever. Your clients are about to find new onboard thrills, like the tallest slide at sea, Ultimate AbyssSM and The Perfect StormSM waterslides. Chill out with Caribbean cool cocktails at The Lime and CoconutSM. And grab bold bites at El Loco FreshSM and the all new Portside BBQSM.