A new industry alliance—the Responsible Biometrics Travel Industry Coalition—was unveiled in Brussels today by ACI Europe, IATA, Amadeus, IDEMIA Public Security and SITA. The group published a manifesto calling on EU lawmakers to ensure that the upcoming Digital Omnibus package does not inadvertently restrict voluntary biometric processing at airports. The coalition argues that face and fingerprint verification speeds up passenger throughput by up to 40 %, allowing airports such as Brussels, Antwerp and Charleroi to absorb traffic growth without costly terminal expansions. But draft Digital Omnibus language, they say, could force operators to store biometric data locally per Member State, undermining single-token journeys and raising implementation costs. Belgium has a stake in the debate: Brussels Airport plans to roll out end-to-end biometric corridors in 2027, pending legal clarity, while the federal government wants to align the scheme with the Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS that go live later this year. The Interior Ministry told the Chamber’s Transport Committee it supports “technology-neutral, passenger-centric rules” and will brief MEPs accordingly. From a mobility-programme perspective, widespread biometrics could shorten check-in and border waits for assignees, but only if privacy safeguards convince both travellers and works councils. The coalition proposes an opt-in model with data deletion after each trip and independent audits—measures that align with Belgium’s strict GDPR enforcement. The manifesto’s release is timed ahead of the European Parliament’s first-reading vote on 21 October. Corporate travel buyers may wish to monitor amendments that determine whether biometric gates will remain optional or become a patchwork across the EU.
Source: ACI Europe – Press Release
