The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Star Alliance have agreed to strengthen their long-standing partnership in the field of travel compliance solutions, with the Alliance implementing Timatic AutoCheck, a next-generation travel documentation and verification system that enables contactless travel for its 26 member airlines.
Timatic AutoCheck provides a streamlined and interactive experience that allows travelers, airlines, and travel agents to quickly access correct and properly phrased immigration information. The entire document screening process has been automated, with instructions personalized to each traveler.
With passenger volume expected to quadruple by 2040, airport processes must continue to be optimized and improved. Verifying passengers’ travel documents is one of the more time-consuming processes that will benefit from additional automation. Timatic AutoCheck will play an important role in facilitating the transition to contactless travel. Star Alliance aims to check the travel documents of over 340 million passengers using Timatic AutoCheck on an annual basis.
“Star Alliance is dedicated to enhancing the customer experience. We are delighted to partner with IATA for the Timatic AutoCheck platform, which we believe will not only boost operational efficiency for our member airlines but also significantly improve the customers’ airport experience. As travelers increasingly prioritize seamless journeys with minimum hassle, our adoption of the Timatic platform is a significant step in the right direction.” stated Theo Panagiotoulias, CEO of Star Alliance.
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General commented that Timatic AutoCheck is another step toward more efficiency and convenience in the travel sector. Passengers can travel with confidence and peace of mind after easily understanding travel rules. They are thrilled that Star Alliance has chosen to renew their long-standing collaboration and continue to use IATA Timatic as the source and tool for document compliance checks.
According to the most recent IATA Global Passenger Survey (GPS), onerous visa procedures dissuade visitors who prefer a simple, digitized online visa application process. Furthermore, many people are eager to provide their travel document information to expedite airport immigration procedures.
– 36% of passengers reported being discouraged from visiting a specific destination due to immigration regulations. 49% of passengers identified process complexity as their biggest obstacle, followed by 19% citing expenses and 8% citing privacy concerns.
– Where visas are required, 66% of tourists prefer to obtain them online before traveling, 20% at a consulate or embassy, and 14% at the airport.
– 87% of travelers said they’d disclose their immigration information to speed up the airport arrival process, up from 83% in 2022.
“Taking advantage of travelers’ willingness to use online processes and share information in advance, Timatic AutoCheck enables airlines, ground handlers, departure control systems and travel agents a customer-friendly online solution, through which travelers can check that they comply with all immigration requirements before setting off to the airport,” Walsh stated.
