IATA Survey Finds Travelers Support Biometrics But Resent Visa Hurdles

A recent global survey has highlighted a stark contrast in passenger sentiment: while travelers are eager to adopt digital technologies, they are being increasingly discouraged by complex visa processes and security concerns. The 2026 Global Passenger Survey, released on October 28 by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), gathered insights from over 10,000 individuals across more than 200 countries.

Technology adoption has seen a significant surge, with 58% of passengers utilizing biometric services during their airport experience over the past year. This represents a steady rise from 50% in 2025 and is a marked 24-percentage-point increase since 2022. Satisfaction levels among these biometric users reached a record 87%. Fifty-eight per cent of passengers used biometrics at some point in their airport journey over the past 12 months. Seventy-eight per cent surveyed say they would share biometric data in order to skip showing a passport or boarding pass. Eighty-two per cent would share one with an airline after paying for a ticket. And 41 per cent say they do not know how it is handled, another 49 per cent fear their information will pass to other organisations. Forty-nine per cent of travellers have used AI to plan a trip. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha depend on transit passengers who move through quickly. Airspace closures since February 28 shut Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha hubs, with many airlines postponing their return to the region. From and within the region through March 22, aviation consultancy IBA recorded a 59 per cent drop in flights to. DXB tops regional airport connectivity ranking.

Willingness to share personal data remains high, with 78% of respondents indicating they would provide biometric information to bypass traditional document checks. And it doesn’t just stop there the willingness runs further.

Of these, 75% expressed a preference for registering once in advance.

Interest in digital passports is equally strong, with 84% willing to use them for online check-in.

However, data privacy remains a significant concern, as 59% of passengers cite fears regarding potential data breaches, while 49% worry about information being shared with unauthorized organizations.

Artificial intelligence is also playing a larger role in travel planning, with 49% of travelers having used the technology. Primary use cases include searching for flight destinations at 21%, finding the cheapest fares at 19%, and seeking travel inspiration at 17%. Searching for flights to a set destination leads at 21 per cent. And 17 per cent sought ideas on where to go, hunting for the cheapest fare follows at 19 per cent.

Travel Deterrents and Regulatory Hurdles

• Impact of Entry Rules: Complex immigration requirements now deter 43% of travelers, an increase from 33% last year.
• Complexity Concerns: Among those discouraged, 53% point to overly complicated procedures, while cost and privacy issues account for 17% each.
• Safety and Conflict: Of those deterred by conflict, 72% cite safety risks, while 13% express uncertainty about whether travel remains feasible.
• Visa Preferences: 60% of passengers prefer applying for visas online compared to just 25% who favor traditional embassy or consulate visits.

Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President of Operations, Safety and Security, noted that while passengers are embracing tech for seamless travel, the industry faces a bottleneck.

Despite more than 100 countries offering eVisas, a lack of consistent global standards makes it difficult for airlines to verify them efficiently. Yet there is little consistency in how they are checked,” Careen added, more than 100 countries issue eVisas.

Careen emphasized that passengers want to complete immigration procedures before reaching the airport, a goal that requires better government coordination.

Regional Market Performance and Challenges

The Middle East, a central hub for international transit, continues to grapple with the effects of regional instability. Recovery remains uneven, with Middle Eastern carriers reporting that international demand in September was still 7.5% below the previous year. Total demand for the region fell by 8%, and the Middle East to Asia corridor experienced an 8.8% decline in traffic. Which is home to some of the world’s busiest international hubs, is trying hard to bring back traffic lost due to the regional tensions which has dented most of the year, the findings come at a time when the Middle East. And global demand slipped 0.5 per cent, total demand there fell 8 per cent.

Key Industry Indicators

• Capacity Utilization: Middle Eastern airlines filled only 78.3% of their capacity in September, reflecting a 3.6 percentage point drop year-over-year.
• Financial Projections: IATA revised its outlook in June, forecasting that regional carriers would shift from a $7.2 billion profit in 2025 to a $4.3 billion loss in 2026.
• Tourism Revenue: Despite operational headwinds, GCC tourism revenues climbed by 9.7% to reach $131.9 billion in 2025.
• Market Trends: Emerging sectors include Gen Z adoption of digital finance, as seen in the launch of Binance’s Qafila 2026, alongside shifting priorities in family wealth management and office expansion strategies by firms like FP Trading.

Looking ahead, the combination of rising fuel costs and geopolitical tensions, specifically fears regarding potential strikes, keeps the industry in a state of uncertainty. While digital innovation offers a pathway to restore efficiency and passenger confidence, the ultimate speed of the regional recovery remains tied to broader stability and security.

Important Details

• Widening lead over rivals, also Read: Dubai airport ranked region’s most connected hub.
• ATM 2026: UAE travel faces challenges, ambition holds.
• Gulf aviation’s six-month US-Iran war stress test.
• Succession, julius Baer: Families prioritise governance.