Digital IDs and biometrics have been gaining momentum in airports as they are not only convenient, but safer by being more contact free

Among the segments affected by the pandemic, air travel remains near the top of the list when it comes to industries that have been hard hit.

And hopes for recovery have been dimmed as of late by the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases, which has further dimmed prospects for consumers regaining their enthusiasm or flying the skies. In the last week, in the midst of rising EU cases, airline giant IAG — owner of British Airways, Iberia and Vueling — has officially scaled back its fourth quarter flight schedules by 35 percent.

Recent overall bookings have not developed as previously expected due to additional measures implemented by many European governments in response to a second wave of COVID-19 infections, including an increase in local lockdowns and extension of quarantine requirements to travellers from an increasing number of countries, Chief Financial Officer Stephen Gunning said.

And cutting back is one of many measures airlines are using to attract customers and stay alive until a vaccine emerges in wide usage to bring the pandemic period to an end. Alaska Airlines sold entire three-seat rows for the price of a single seat during a 48-hour sale in August and September. American Airlines is making backend adjustments to the flying experience designed around offering a smoother, touchless and contact-free way for its customers to verify their identity digitally as they board.

Digital IDs and biometrics have been gaining momentum in airports, especially since the pandemic expanded the use of biometric scans as an authentication method that is not only more convenient, but actually safer by being more contact free.