Pilot of eID accounts for air passengers

Deploying the application of population data, electronic identification and authentication for air passengers is expected to create a step in digital transformation, because of the benefits of shortening the time, reducing security risks and improving management at the airport.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), this contributed to actively participating in ensuring social order and security, reducing flight check-in time for passengers, and increasing accuracy.

At the same time, this is a measure to strengthen the prevention and detection of passengers using fake travel documents and to screen those banned from flying and or wanted.

The CAAV has issued a plan to deploy biometric authentication when citizens check-in for flights. Accordingly, starting from February 2023, the implementation of biometric authentication combined with electronic identification, when citizens travel by plane, has been piloted at Cat Bi International Airport, in the northern port city of Hai Phong.

By April 2023, this work will continue to be carried out at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, and from May 13, 2023, at Phu Bai International Airport in Thua Thien Hue Province.

With this process, when going through security check-in, passengers only need to present their ID with a chip through the scanner. The scanning camera recognises the guest’s face and compares it with the original image in the National Population Database, making the procedures quick and convenient.

To make it even more convenient for passengers, starting from June 1, at all domestic airports and on domestic flights, passengers can use a level 2 e-ID account on the app VN-eID to check-in at the boarding gate or aviation security checkpoint and at the departure gate.

With this application, instead of having to carry ID documents such as citizen IDs or passports, through the app, passengers can easily complete the procedures when travelling by plane.

Statistics from the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) showed that over 37 million electronic IDs have been issued. Of these, nearly 17 million accounts are activated.

The MPS affirmed that the electronic IDs and authentication system when connecting to a system of the parties, must be authenticated confidentially. Thus, when a citizen uses level 2 electronic identification to check in for a flight, all citizens' information is kept safe and secure, and cannot be leaked or stolen.

The pilot implementation of level 2 electronic identification at all airports across the country lasts until the end of August, applicable to domestic flights.

After this pilot, the units will conduct a review, draw experience, and serve as a basis for the application of utilities from citizen identification and electronic identification in civil and administrative transactions.