Canadian Aviation Industry Calls for National Biometrics Policy
Canada’s aviation industry is calling on the federal government to establish a unified national policy for biometric identification and digital identity systems in air travel. The proposal, backed by major airline and airport organizations, aims to standardize the use of facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and digital ID technologies while ensuring strong privacy protections and regulatory oversight.
The Canadian Airports Council (CAC), along with other aviation stakeholders, is urging Ottawa to amend existing federal regulations, including the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) Act and the Secure Air Travel Regulations. These updates would create the legal framework needed to implement biometric screening and digital ID systems consistently across airports nationwide.
Industry leaders argue that a coordinated biometrics policy would streamline passenger processing, reduce wait times, and improve both efficiency and security at Canada’s airports. They note that several pilot programs—such as touchless boarding gates and facial recognition systems—have already shown promising results, but inconsistent rules and fragmented technology standards remain major obstacles to wider adoption.
“Canada risks falling behind global peers in aviation innovation if we don’t move toward a harmonized biometrics framework,” a CAC spokesperson said. “A clear national policy with privacy safeguards will allow airports and airlines to deploy these technologies confidently while maintaining public trust.”
The proposed framework would include guidelines on data storage, access control, consent, and interoperability between different airport systems. It would also ensure compliance with federal privacy laws and the oversight of Canada’s Office of the Privacy Commissioner.
Proponents emphasize that biometric technology is not only a tool for convenience but also a crucial component of national security and border management. With growing passenger volumes and the need for more resilient airport operations, a unified digital identity ecosystem could help the aviation sector handle future demand while enhancing traveler experience.
Globally, countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Singapore have already rolled out comprehensive biometric screening programs at major airports. Canada’s aviation industry believes adopting a similar policy framework would maintain competitiveness, strengthen cross-border travel integration, and position the country as a leader in secure, tech-driven air transport modernization.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com