Australia Expands Digital Passenger Card Airport Trial

Australia is expanding its digital transformation in air travel by trialing a digital incoming passenger card system, which began at Brisbane International Airport in October 2024 and has since extended to Sydney Airport. The trial allows Qantas passengers traveling from Auckland and Queenstown to submit arrival declarations online before departure, receiving a QR code via the Qantas app for expedited processing upon landing. The initiative is part of a broader move toward contactless travel, featuring digital credentials and facial recognition, and has received highly positive feedback for reducing processing times. Following the successful trials, the program is expected to be rolled out in stages to additional airports. Sydney Airport will also install 32 new SmartGate kiosks by early next year to further improve efficiency. These efforts highlight Australia’s commitment to modernizing border controls and enhancing the traveler experience.