ASTANA — Immigration requirements discouraged 43% of surveyed air passengers from visiting a destination, up from 33% in 2025, even as travelers increasingly embrace artificial intelligence and biometric technology to simplify their journeys, according to a new survey by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
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The 2026 Global Passenger Survey, based on more than 10,000 responses from over 200 countries, found that 58% of respondents had used biometric identification during airport procedures over the past year, while 49% had used AI to plan their trip.
However, despite growing interest in digital travel solutions, complicated entry procedures remain a major obstacle. Among passengers discouraged by immigration requirements, 53% cited the complexity of the process, compared with 17% who pointed to costs and another 17% who raised privacy concerns.
“Passengers are embracing technology to make travel easier. AI is becoming a mainstream travel planning tool, while biometrics and digital identity are creating a faster and more seamless airport experience,” said IATA’s Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety and Security Nick Careen,
“Yet many travelers continue to face barriers from complex immigration and visa processes. Governments can help by simplifying entry requirements, eliminating duplicate checks, and accelerating the issuance and acceptance of secure digital travel credentials,” said Careen.
Biometric use grew from 50% in 2025 to 58%. In the survey, 78% of travelers said they would share biometric data to avoid repeated document checks.
“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,” said Careen.
Digital passports are also gaining increasing interest. 84% of travelers are interested in using it for online check-in.
“To make biometrics the norm for international travel, governments must agree on a framework for issuing and accepting secure digital passports or Digital Travel Credentials,” said Careen.
Privacy concerns remain, however, with 59% of respondents worried about data breaches, 49% about their information being shared with third parties and 41% about a lack of transparency in how their personal data is handled.
The findings also highlight growing demand for simpler, digital entry procedures. Some 86% of respondents said they were willing to submit immigration information digitally before departure to speed up the process, compared with 83% last year. Meanwhile, 60% preferred applying for visas online, more than twice the 25% who favored applying in person at an embassy or consulate.
Nearly half of respondents, 45%, also said they would prefer to complete immigration procedures before arriving at the airport, up from 41% in 2025.
The survey also indicated that 49% have used AI to plan travel, including 21% to search for flights to specific destinations and 19% to find cheaper fares. Another 17% used AI to get inspiration for where to travel.
“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,” said Careen.
The survey also revealed sharp regional differences in technology adoption. Travelers from the Middle East were the most likely to use AI for trip planning, at 72%, compared with just 35% in Europe. North America recorded the highest use of biometrics at 63%, while Europe had the lowest at 47%.
The impact of immigration requirements also varied across regions. According to the survey, African travelers were the most likely to have been discouraged from visiting a destination by entry requirements, at 52%, followed by travelers in the Asia-Pacific region at 49%. North American passengers were the least affected, at 35%.
More than 100 countries now issue electronic visas, but differences in how they are verified continue to complicate travel, IATA said. The association called on governments to adopt common standards that would allow airlines to verify digital travel documents more efficiently.
The findings come as Kazakhstan prepares to introduce a new electronic travel authorization system for foreign nationals from 85 countries eligible for visa-free entry.
The QazETA system will begin a phased rollout on Nov. 1 at Aktau International Airport and four land border crossings before expanding to Astana and Almaty airports in January 2027. Authorization will become mandatory for travelers covered by the requirement on July 1, 2027.
The system is intended to streamline migration procedures and strengthen border security. Travelers will be required to apply electronically at least 72 hours before arrival, although the authorization will be issued free of charge.
Kazakhstan is also expanding the use of biometric technology at airports. Deputy Transport Minister Talgat Lastaev said on Oct. 20 that the country plans to begin implementing biometric passenger check-in systems in the first half of 2027, followed by a phased rollout later that year.
