Asia-Pacific travellers have the highest level of overall satisfaction with air travel shows the latest IATA survey.
They are the second-most willing of any region to use biometrics, although concerns about data breaches remain strong.
Immigration requirements also discourage travel, particularly the complexity of the process, it shows.
IATAs 2026 Global Passenger Survey highlights three major trends in passenger behaviour and expectations.
Biometrics are becoming mainstream and interest in digital passports is up with the 87% who had used them happy with the experience.
Over half of passengers (58%) report having experienced biometrics at some point in their airport journey in the past 12 months. The survey of 10,000 travellers found 84% are interested in using a digital passport for on-line check-in instead of their physical passport.
. . . AI’s Role
The survey shows that almost half (49%) of travellers have used artificial intelligence for travel planning.
Some 21% have used AI to search for flights to a destination, 19% have used it to find the cheapest flights and 17% have used it to get inspiration for where to travel. Middle East travellers are the most likely to use AI for travel planning. “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,” says IATA senior vp operations, safety and security Nick Careen.
. . . Travel Barriers
The survey shows that entry requirements are a growing barrier to travel, even as passengers embrace technology. Immigration requirements have discouraged 43% of passengers from visiting a destination, up from 33% in 2025. Of the passengers discouraged from travelling to a particular destination by geopolitical conflict, 72% say safety was the main reason, while 13% cite uncertainty over whether travel is possible. Of those put off by immigration requirements, 53% say the process is too complex.
. . . Agent Upside
For Kiwi agents, the findings reinforce the value of agents helping clients navigate disrupts and visa requirements. “This is yet another area where travel advisors can add value to a booking,” says TAANZ ceo Julie White.
“But that’s said with the caveat that it is still the responsibility of the traveller to complete all of their own [immigration] documents.”
