Travel technology firm Amadeus has signed a strategic partnership agreement with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to help countries modernise their air transport systems through digital technologies.

The collaboration, formalised through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), supports ICAO’s “No Country Left Behind” (NCLB) initiative, which aims to ensure all member states—including those with limited technical capacity—can meet global aviation standards.

Under the agreement, Amadeus will provide technical support, training, and expertise to help ICAO member states adopt digital identity, biometric systems, and data management tools to improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability in air transport.

The partnership will focus on strengthening countries’ ability to implement ICAO standards, particularly in areas such as biometric interoperability and travel document systems, in line with ICAO’s TRIP (Travel Document and Information Systems) framework and Doc 9303 specifications.

Amadeus said the cooperation would help accelerate the adoption of seamless and secure travel solutions, enabling faster passenger processing while enhancing border security.

Training and capacity-building programmes will also form a key part of the initiative, aimed at equipping national authorities with the technical and regulatory skills needed to operate advanced digital systems.

The first deliverables under the partnership are expected by mid-2026, with a roadmap designed to guide countries through the integration of biometric identification and digital identity technologies.

ICAO said the initiative would help bridge the digital divide in global aviation and strengthen the resilience of air transport systems as the industry adapts to post-pandemic challenges.

The agreement marks a significant step toward wider use of digital technologies in aviation, with both organisations stressing that improved data sharing, automation, and interoperability will be essential to building a safer, more efficient, and sustainable global air transport network.

Source: travelandtourworld.com