European travellers are the most hesitant globally when it comes to embracing digital travel technologies, according to the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) 2026 Global Passenger Survey. The findings, based on over 10,000 responses from 200 countries, reveal a clear regional divide in attitudes toward biometrics and digital passports.
Only 70% of European respondents said they would share biometric data for airport procedures, compared with a global average of 78%. Travellers from the Middle East (84%) and Africa (82%) showed the highest willingness, while Europeans also lagged on digital passport adoption: 79% expressed interest in using one for online check-in, versus 84% worldwide.
Privacy concerns drive caution
The survey points to data-handling worries as a key factor behind European reticence. Overall, 59% of respondents said they feared data breaches, 49% were concerned about their information being shared with third parties, and 41% cited a lack of clarity about how their personal details are managed. These figures suggest that trust, not just convenience, is central to the adoption of new travel tech.
Despite these concerns, biometrics have become a mainstream part of air travel. IATA reports that 58% of passengers globally have used biometrics at least once in the past year, up from just 34% in 2022. Nick Careen, IATA's Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety and Security, said: "More passengers are experiencing biometrics during their travels. They like it and want more. That's good news because the benefits are substantial – smoother journeys for passengers and more efficient, secure processes for governments and airlines."
Careen added that for biometrics to become the norm, governments must agree on a framework for issuing and accepting secure digital passports, or Digital Travel Credentials. The survey found that 82% of travellers would share a digital passport with an airline at booking or after payment to receive personalised services, such as visa information, and the same share would use a smartphone combining a digital wallet, digital passport, and loyalty cards to manage their entire journey.
AI's growing role in trip planning
Artificial intelligence is increasingly influencing how people plan their travels. According to the survey, 49% of travellers have used AI for planning, with 21% using it to search for flights to a specific destination, 19% to find the cheapest fares, and 17% for travel inspiration. Careen noted: "People are using AI to plan their travel. It's important for airlines not only to ensure their offerings show up in AI, but also to develop convenient links to convert an AI conversation into a real booking."
This trend aligns with other recent findings, such as a survey showing that travellers trust AI for pricing but not for full trip planning, and another indicating that French parents underestimate their children's AI use. For airlines and travel tech companies, the message is clear: AI is a channel they cannot ignore.
Immigration rules remain a barrier
Despite technological advances, immigration requirements are increasingly deterring travel. The survey found that 43% of global travellers have been discouraged from visiting a destination due to entry requirements, up from 33% in the previous year. This is most acute among African travellers (52%), while 38% of Europeans cited the same concern.
Among those put off, 53% said the process was too complex, 17% cited cost, and another 17% raised privacy issues. However, there is strong appetite for digital solutions: 86% would share immigration information digitally before departure, 45% would prefer to complete immigration procedures before reaching the airport, and 60% favour online visa applications over in-person consulate visits (25%).
Careen stressed the need for standardisation: "Passengers want to apply for visas online and complete immigration procedures before they reach the airport. E-visas can deliver that, but airlines can only verify them efficiently if governments use common standards. More than 100 countries issue e-visas, yet there is little consistency in how they are checked. The tools to fix that already exist, and governments should adopt them."
For European travellers, the survey underscores a paradox: they are the most cautious about sharing personal data, yet they also expect seamless, digital-first travel experiences. As the EU moves forward with initiatives like the standard refund form for disrupted travel, the balance between privacy and convenience will remain a defining issue for the continent's aviation sector.
