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Lufthansa Becomes First Airline To Test EU Digital Identity Wallet With Amadeus

Lufthansa Airlines becomes the primary airline to test the EU Digital Identity Wallet for different travel purposes like online check-in, boarding, baggage drop, and more in partnership with Amadeus. The Pilot project which is part of an EU-based large-scale initiative, notes that frequent flyers utilize mobile-based digital wallets to tap their way through various airport processes. It demonstrates a more seamless and efficient travel experience.

Later in 2025, Amadeus will test the EU wallet for digital travel credential use cases like airport security and border control. The EUDI Wallet is available to EU citizens which allows them to store and share digital documents with payment methods. Also, it allows future plans to integrate biometric enrollment and security gates.

EU Digital Identity Wallet Improves Flying Experience

The EU Digital Identity Wallet improves by enabling frictionless identity verification at each stage of travel from border control to online check-in to reduce the requirement of document handling. It allows travelers to share only crucial digital credentials like boarding passes or passport information with a click to speed up the process at the airport.

Key Benefits of EU Wallet For Travelers:

  • Faster Check-in: Skip the manual data entry by sharing the document data through a single click on the website or at the airport kiosk.
  • Smooth Airport Experience: Use your phone to tap at self-service kiosks, check in, and the boarding gates to reduce the document presentation.
  • Seamless Border Control: Future enhancement could allow phone taps at eGates for quick immigration checks.
  • Additional Security: Store and share the digital credentials securely with users to control their data.
  • Convenient Payments: Use EU Digital Identity to pay for services at the airport and other travel-related online transactions.
  • Less Hassle: Less repetition of data entry and document scans which leads to a more enjoyable flying experience. Lufthansa is working with IT supplier Amadeus to test out the use of a mobile phone-based ID that will fast-track air travellers onto aircraft.

Note: Travelers store digital travel credentials like passport details and flight tickets in their EU Digital Identity Wallet. A passenger can share the required data from their wallet with trustworthy third parties to verify their identity. The recipient like a border control agency verifies the digital credentials to confirm the identity of travel and eligibility for the service.

EU Digital Wallet Consortium

The EU Digital Wallet Consortium is a large-scale project which is co-founded by the European Commission to test and develop the new European Digital Identity Wallet. It focuses only on the development of the wallet for use cases including payment/ digital travel credentials/ and organizational digital identity.

Purpose and Goals

  • The EWC’s work helps to evaluate the technical specifications and requirements outlined in the reference framework for the EUDI wallet.
  • A key objective is to pilot the EUDI wallet for Digital Travel Credentials to streamline the travel experience among member states.
  • It is also testing how the EUDI Wallet can facilitate secure e-commerce and payments through organizational digital identity.
  • Lufthansa’s frequent flyers trialled Amadeus’ European Union Digital Identity (EUDI) Wallet for air travel over 2025, with positive results.
  • The pilot projects make sure that the wallets issued by different EU countries can function seamlessly with public and private sector services across borders.

Structure And Participation

The EWC is a public-private partnership coordinated by the entities from Sweden and Finland. The consortium includes a broad range of participation from across Europe:

  • Member States: The EWC has representatives from all 27 EU member states with the partners from other countries.
  • Organizations: The EU digital wallet consortium includes 41 partners and 35 associated partners along with the representations from different public authorities/ academic institutions/ and private companies.
  • Collaboration: Members who work together to develop the important technical standard and documentation to ensure a secure and interoperable EUDI ecosystem.

EU Digital Identity Wallet-Based Travel For Pilots

For Lufthansa Airlines pilots, the adoption of the EU Digital Identity Wallet promises to streamline the travel process through digitizing credentials and leveraging the biometric technology. This new system aims to remove the repetition of document checks, which offers an additional seamless and efficient experience through airports.

Know the challenges and important considerations:

  • Technical Integration: Interoperability is a key challenge that requires the widespread adoption and integration of the EUDIW framework by border authorities and airports.
  • Dependence on Technology: Pilots will need to make sure their devices are functional and charged. A lost/stolen phone could pose an inconvenience, although high-level security features and the user authentication protocols will lower the potential risk.
  • Phased Roll-Out: The full transition will be gradual while the system is being piloted. Similarly, pilots may need to be prepared for initial delays as the latest processes are being used and a few airports may not be equipped from the start.
  • Adoption Rates: Its use is not necessary, though the EU wallet will be made available to all EU citizens. The success of the system will depend on the user adoption and it may take time.

Note: Amadeus and Lufthansa have successfully tested the EU Digital Identity Wallet which is a government-issued digital wallet set to launch in 2026 that stores passports and payment methods along with bio-metric profiles securely.

The Bottom Line!

Lufthansa has successfully tested the EU Digital Identity Wallet and marked an important advancement to make travel smoother. Passengers have shared that this new system has made their journeys more efficient and enjoyable. The EU Digital Identity Wallet allows travelers to store essential documents, like IDs and payment information, digitally. This helps simplify the check-in process online and makes things quicker at the airport when dropping off luggage and boarding. This initiative shows great promise for being adopted across the industry which improves user control over personal information and protects privacy. It also makes travel overall more convenient as it expands to more airport services and borders in the future.

For more information on the EU digital identity wallet or making Lufthansa reservations  at reasonable prices, contact travel experts at Toursntravelpro Call Us : +1-866-679-5070 Today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular digital wallet in Europe?

It is not possible to name a single popular digital wallet for all of Europe as the existing services are heavily country-specific and depend on the type of transaction. Apple Pay and Google Pay dominate the in-store contactless payments in different regions while PayPal leads in online transactions. Besides, the regional wallets have a strong presence in their local markets.

Can you use a digital wallet in Europe?

Yes! You can make use of digital wallets like Google Pay and Apple Pay in Europe as their acceptance is widespread. Other widely used options include PayPal which is popular for online transactions and in certain countries like Germany. It is suggested to check the compatibility and permit travel mode before your trip. It is helpful to carry a backup payment method like a credit card or a debit card.

How do I set up a digital wallet?

To set up a digital wallet, simply download your phone’s pre-installed wallet application from the app store and open it. Select the option to add a new payment card through the on-screen prompts to enter your card details. You will need to verify the card with your bank and set up a screen lock security feature for your wallet.

Does Europe accept digital ID?

Yes! Europe is implementing a standardized EU Digital Identity Wallet which is a mobile app. It allows EU citizens and residents to prove their identity and store digital documents securely across all member states. The EUDI wallet is a part of the eIDAS Regulation and requires each member state to offer a wallet to each citizen by 2026 with worldwide acceptance.

What are the risks of using a digital ID?

The risk of digital IDS includes the security breaches/ identity theft from compromised wallets/ potential tracking/ the privacy violations due to the data collection by wallet providers and potential tracking/ increased surveillance capabilities for government/ and other access. Other risks involve the loss/theft of the physical device which leads to unauthorized access/ phishing attacks/ biometric vulnerabilities/ data misuse/ and potential digital exclusion of marginalized groups who lack digital literacy.

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