The Branchspace team returned from the IATA Conference Centre in Geneva with renewed momentum and a clearer picture of how digital identity and verifiable travel credentials are evolving across the industry. Representing Branchspace was Tomasz Wiśniewski, our Senior Mobile App Developer, who joined airlines and technology providers for three days of collaboration, prototyping and standard alignment.
While every participant brought their own perspective, the ambition was shared by all. The industry wants air travel to feel simpler, safer and more predictable for passengers. The workshops confirmed that digital identity remains one of the most promising pathways to get there.
What the workshops focused on
This year's Proof of Concept built on the foundation set in 2024, with partners exploring how digital credentials could support more seamless airport journeys. The direction is clear. The industry is moving towards experiences where passengers can navigate key steps of the journey with far fewer interruptions and a much more intuitive flow.
For Branchspace, the workshops were a chance to validate our thinking, compare implementation approaches and better understand how airlines envision the next stage of digital transformation. The conversations reinforced that mobile will continue to take the lead role in connecting the pieces together.
Collaboration at the centre
One of the strongest outcomes from Geneva was the renewed spirit of collaboration between airlines, vendors and standard-setting bodies. Several groups are now aligned on the same long-term question: how do we combine digital identity, verifiable credentials and modern airline retailing principles to create a passenger experience that feels effortless?
The discussions highlighted the importance of:
• Strong interoperability across the ecosystem
• Clear and consistent user experiences for passengers
• A shared commitment to standards that can scale globally
• Aligning technical feasibility with real passenger value
These refinements may appear subtle, but they shape the foundation for what will eventually become widely deployed across airports, airlines and digital channels.
Why this matters for the future of travel
The workshops served as a useful reminder that progress in digital identity is not only about technology. It is about defining the conditions that make air travel feel smoother for millions of people. The work taking place through IATA’s PoC programme is now informing how the next generation of applications, protocols and touchpoints will be designed.
For Branchspace, it also reinforces two areas where we continue to invest:
• Mobile-first journeys that reduce friction and bring transparency to travellers
• Seamless orchestration between airline systems, industry standards and digital identity frameworks
These are essential building blocks for the future of modern airline retailing and digital travel.
Looking ahead to the World Data Symposium
Out of respect for the collaborative nature of the programme and IATA’s guidelines, the detailed findings from this year's use case remain confidential until the World Data Symposium in April 2026. Other participants have taken a similar high-level approach when sharing their learnings publicly, keeping the spotlight on the broader direction rather than specific PoC mechanics.
What we can say is that the workshops confirmed strong alignment on the vision and a shared belief that the next leap in seamless travel is within reach. The showcase at WDS will reveal more about how these components fit together.
Until then, the Branchspace team will continue refining our thinking, strengthening our partnerships and preparing to demonstrate what is possible when mobile experience design and industry standards work together.
Here’s what Tomasz Wiśniewski had to say about his experience:
“In the upcoming months we will be working on an airline mobile app, orchestrating exchange of travel credentials in order to prove the next level of air passenger experience.
It is truly an honor to represent Branchspace here and be the part of a group shaping the future of air travel and spearheading such innovative initiatives.”
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