Hong Kong International Airport has earned the One ID certification from IATA, confirming it meets global standards for digital identity, biometric technology and passenger privacy. This milestone could soon change how you move through airports.

The One ID certification shows that the airport’s systems follow the same rules used by airlines and airports worldwide. By meeting these standards, the airport can safely share biometric data while protecting travelers’ privacy.

With the certified system, passengers can walk through security, immigration and boarding gates using facial recognition instead of pulling out passports and boarding passes each time. The technology reads the traveler’s face and matches it to the stored digital identity.

Since the Flight Token facial recognition system was introduced in 2021, more than 93 million passengers have used it, and over 80 % of departing travelers are now eligible to rely on it for the whole departure process. IATA’s 2026 Global Passenger Survey also found that 78 % of travelers would share biometric information to avoid repeatedly presenting physical documents.

In short, the One ID certification means that future flights could be faster and less stressful, as facial recognition replaces many of the paper checks you are used to. Travelers who opt in can expect a smoother journey from check‑in to boarding.