IATA enhances contactless travel with advanced Timatic product
Significant stride made towards seamless travel experience
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched the latest iteration of Timatic, an innovative travel documentation and verification system. This exceptional system supports contactless travel and elevates the overall passenger experience.
The revamped Timatic platform has undergone a comprehensive redesign, setting a new standard for travel compliance solutions.
Timatic AutoCheck, the next generation of this system, introduces a streamlined and interactive approach that empowers travellers, airlines, and travel professionals to access accurate and clearly worded immigration information easily. This includes a fully automated document-checking process with tailored instructions for each passenger.
As a leading provider of real-time information on travel document requirements for international air travel, Timatic is trusted by airlines, ground handlers, travel agents, security agents, and government officials.
Seamless travel experience
The platform ensures a seamless and hassle-free travel experience for millions of passengers globally, with over 700 million travel documents checked annually.
With passenger traffic expected to double by 2040, optimising and enhancing airport processes are imperative. Timatic AutoCheck addresses the time-consuming task of verifying passengers’ travel documentation through further automation, aligning with the industry’s move towards contactless travel.
IATA’s recent Global Passenger Survey (GPS) underscores the significance of Timatic’s advancements. The survey revealed that complex visa requirements deter travellers from seeking a convenient, digital online visa process.
A notable 87% of travellers expressed a willingness to share their immigration information to expedite airport arrival processes, marking an increase from the 83% reported in 2022.
Frederic Leger, IATA’s Senior Vice President of Commercial Products and Services, said: “Taking advantage of traveller 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.”
Easy integration
Timatic AutoCheck easily integrates into airline reservation and departure control and distribution systems used by travel agencies and online booking platforms.
Key product enhancements include simplified regulatory content, an interactive data-driven approach, practical recommendations, and enhanced automation, making self-service check-in even more accessible.
Leger stated, “Timatic AutoCheck represents a further milestone in the pursuit of efficiency and convenience within the travel industry.”
Major Departure Control System (DCS) providers like Amadeus, Hitit, and Sabre, along with various airlines and Star Alliance, are already collaborating with IATA to adopt the new Timatic AutoCheck.
Since its inception in the 1960s, Timatic has provided users with reliable and real-time information on the required documentation for international travel. The accuracy of this data is crucial, with IATA relying on various sources, including governments, airlines, and airports.
Annually, Timatic facilitates over a billion passenger document checks, ensuring correct information dissemination to both airlines and passengers.
Featured image: Arriving passengers queuing for passport control at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on November 6, 2023. Image: Arnold Pinto
