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IATA announced (28-Oct-2026) Air New Zealand and Hong Kong International Airport as the first organisations to achieve One ID Certification. The certification assures organisations' that their use of digital identity and biometrics meet a set of global industry standards. Organisations can be certified in up to four areas of activity:

• Digitalisation of admissibility;
• Contactless travel;
• Biometric handling;
• Privacy, consent and governance.

The certification is open to airlines, airports and technology providers. Air New Zealand and Hong Kong Airport were certified across all areas applicable to their operations. [more - original PR]

Boeing reported (28-Oct-2026) the following projections from its 2026 World Air Cargo Forecast:

• Air cargo traffic will double over the next 20 years;
• The worldwide fleet is expected to grow 67% from 2395 aircraft in 2025 to 4010 aircraft by 2045. Dedicated freighters are expected to carry more than half of global air cargo traffic in the long term;
• Operators will need 2930 new and converted freighters over the next 20 years to support traffic growth and replace retiring aircraft. About 55% of deliveries will add capacity and approximately 45% will replace older, less efficient freighters. Two thirds of deliveries will be converted passenger aircraft and the remainder will be new production freighters;
• Growth will be fuelled by time sensitive shipments for advanced manufacturing and AI hardware, "diversifying supply chains and rising e-commerce volumes as carriers adapt route networks to shifting trade lanes and manage geopolitical disruptions";
• Structural growth drivers and resilience are expected to support air cargo traffic growth of 3.5% p/a over the next two decades, outpacing long term economic and trade growth. Trade flows touching Asia will lead growth and represent approximately 60% of the global market;
• Nearly one third of all air cargo revenues are earned by airlines with passenger bellyhold capacity as well as dedicated main deck freighters to serve a "broad network and diverse markets". Growing demand for express services will lift integrators' share of global air cargo traffic to nearly 25% in 2045.

Boeing VP commercial marketing Darren Hulst stated: "Air cargo's adaptability and speed are strategic advantages enabling reliable transport, dynamic rerouting and critical support for evolving supply chains". Mr Hulst added: "As global trade patterns change and demand for time-sensitive, high-value goods grows, dedicated freighters will remain essential to global commerce". [more - original PR]

IATA reported (28-Oct-2026) the following findings from its 2026 Global Passenger Survey:

• 58% of passengers report having experienced biometrics at some point in their airport journey in the past 12 months, up from 50% in 2025 and up 24pp from 2022;
• Passengers who have experienced biometrics report "high levels" of satisfaction, with 87% saying they are happy with the experience, up from 86% in 2025;
• 78% of travellers would be willing to share their biometric information if it means they can skip showing a passport or boarding pass at airport checkpoints;
• Passengers also showed interest in using digital passports to simplify their journeys:
  • 84% are interested in using a digital passport for online check-in instead of their physical passport;
  • 82% are interested in sharing a digital passport with an airline at booking, after payment, if this enables more personalised services, such as information on visa requirements;
  • 82% are interested in using a smartphone combining a digital wallet, digital passport, and loyalty cards to book, pay and navigate airport processes on departure and arrival;
• Passengers' leading concerns about biometrics are data breaches (59%), information being shared with other organisations (49%) and a lack of clarity about how their personal information is handled (41%);
• 49% of travellers have used artificial intelligence (AI) for travel planning:
  • 21% have used AI to search for flights to a specific destination, the most common use;
  • 19% used it to find the cheapest flights;
  • 17% used it to get inspiration for where to travel;
• 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 the passengers put off by immigration requirements, 53% say the process is too complex. Privacy (17%) and cost (17%) were less common reasons;
• Passengers also want visa processes to be faster, earlier in the travel process and digital:
  • 86% are likely to share immigration information digitally before departure to speed up processes, up from 83% in 2025;
  • 45% would prefer to complete immigration procedures before reaching the airport, up from 41% in 2025;
  • 60% prefer to apply for a visa online, compared with 25% who prefer to apply in person at a consulate or embassy;
• Regional trends:
  
  • African travellers are among the most satisfied. They are the most likely to have been discouraged from visiting a destination by immigration requirements;
  • Asia Pacific travellers report the highest level of overall satisfaction. They are the second most willing of any region to use biometrics;
  • European travellers report the lowest overall satisfaction. They are the most cautious region when it comes to adopting digital travel technology;
  • North American travellers report the highest use of biometrics, but also the strongest concern about data breaches. They are the least likely to have been discouraged from visiting a destination by immigration requirements;
  • Latin America and Caribbean travellers are the second most satisfied globally, reporting the largest improvement in overall satisfaction compared with 2025. Biometric use is below average compared to other regions, while concerns about how personal data is shared and handled are the highest of any region;
  • Middle East travellers are the most likely to use AI for travel planning and show the strongest interest in digital passports and biometric identification. Satisfaction among biometric users is also the highest across the regions. Among those discouraged from travelling by immigration requirements, cost is cited more often than elsewhere, although complexity remains the leading concern. [more - original PR] [more - Aviation Week]

Airbus reported (28-Oct-2026) the following operational highlights for the first nine months of 2026:

• Commercial aircraft deliveries: 547, up from 507 in 9M2025;
• Gross commercial aircraft orders: 1174, up from 610;
• Net orders: 1105 aircraft after cancellations, up from 514;
• The order backlog was 9310 commercial aircraft at the end of Sep-2026;
• Revenues generated by Airbus' commercial aircraft activities increased 8% year-on-year to EUR36.7 billion, mainly reflecting higher deliveries and increased services, partially offset by the weaker US dollar;
• The A220 ramp up is ongoing and the company continues to target a monthly production rate of 13 aircraft in 2028;
• A320 Family production is expected to reach 70 to 75 aircraft per month by the end of 2027, then stabilise at 75;
• Airbus continues to five aircraft per month for the A330 programme in 2029 and 12 per month for the A350 programme in 2028. [more - original PR]

Airbus reported (28-Oct-2026) the following guidance for 2026, assuming "no additional disruptions to global trade or the world economy, air traffic, the supply chain, its internal operations and its ability to deliver products and services":

• Approximately 870 commercial aircraft deliveries;
• Adjusted EBIT of approximately EUR7.5 billion;
• Free cash flow before customer financing of approximately EUR4.5 billion.

Airbus' guidance is before mergers and acquisitions, and includes the impact of currently applicable tariffs. [more - original PR]

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury reported (28-Oct-2026) "no cancellations or requests for postponements" of aircraft deliveries as a result of higher fuel prices, adding: "We are still monitoring what it means for [airlines] moving forward". Mr Faury said: "The delivery profile is back-loaded again, but the teams are fully mobilised for a year-end rally". He noted the supply chain situation is "much better" than in previous years, however Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines "remain the pacing item" for its ramp-up. [more - Aviation Week]