Next-gen border tech to speed up airport processing worldwide
ICAO’s upgraded system enables instant passport checks and remote verification to reduce queues
ATT Correspondent 
Air travellers around the world are set to experience faster airport processing as the International Civil Aviation Organisation rolls out an upgraded border verification system.
The new platform, known as the Public Key Directory (PKD), allows airlines, airports and border authorities to instantly verify the authenticity of e-passports and digital travel documents using secure digital certificates shared between countries, report global news agencies including AFP, Gulf News, and ICAO.
One of the key features is remote verification, enabling passengers to complete parts of the document check through their smartphones before arriving at the airport-potentially reducing queues at check-in, boarding and immigration.
The system confirms whether a travel document is genuine, unaltered and issued by a legitimate authority, without storing any personal data. It also supports a wider range of credentials, including digital visas, health certificates and electronic IDs.
For airlines and airports, the platform offers the ability to verify passenger documents in advance, streamline boarding processes and improve overall efficiency.
The system went live on March 27 and is currently used by 107 member states, with plans to expand access to private-sector stakeholders, including airlines and travel technology firms, from September 2026.
