New ICAO border system will enhance security and process travellers faster

New ICAO border system will enhance security and process travellers faster
Next-generation passport verification platform launches globally 27 March 2026

Montréal, 26 March 2026 — Travellers, airlines, airports and governments will benefit from more efficient and secure cross-border journeys following tomorrow’s launch of a next-generation “Public Key Directory” (PKD) system by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The ICAO PKD is a secure international database that helps border authorities, airlines and other trusted parties confirm whether electronic passports and digital travel documents are genuine. It does this by providing a central place for States to share digital security certificates—known as “public keys”—used to check that a travel document matches what was issued by a government. When a traveller presents an electronic passport or digital ID, officials use the PKD to verify its digital signature, confirming both the authenticity of the document and that its information has not been altered. The PKD does not contain personal information about individuals or the contents of their documents.

The updated system will formally launch at 0900 Montréal time on 27 March 2026.

The system is designed to help States meet their own legal obligations to process passengers promptly and respectfully while enabling industry players to support a holistic and seamless travel process. Airlines and airports will have new possibilities to offer remote document authentication via smartphones and to access verified biometrics in advance. For those passengers who opt-in, this will streamline boarding, immigration and even commercial services, such as shopping. These enhancements will allow airports, airlines and technology providers to better support State authorities as innovation partners.

Moreover, the system will support the verification of the authenticity of a wider range of travel documents, such as health certificates, digital visas and new electronic IDs. Its new real-time dashboards will give organizations greater confidence in their own data. A more flexible system architecture will also allow States to respond rapidly to future needs by adding new types of digital credentials as air travel evolves.

Since its last update in 2015, the PKD has grown to include 107 of ICAO’s 193 Member States. With the system playing a central role in ICAO’s broader strategy to improve the accessibility of air transport, ICAO is advocating for all Member States to join and fully use the PKD and is providing capacity-building support to ensure they are able to do so. 

In addition to the immediate implementation for Member States as the core users, ICAO also plans to use the months following the March launch as a demonstration phase for other private sector stakeholders. This will allow interested organizations to explore the new capabilities of the PKD system. A broader programme for private sector use is scheduled to roll out in September 2026.

Resources for Editors

ICAO PKD
Seamless Accessible and Reliable Mobility

About ICAO
Leading international civil aviation as a crucial driver of social and economic development, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is accelerating progress towards zero fatalities and net-zero carbon emissions in air transport for everyone, everywhere, in line with its Long-Term Strategic Plan for 2050. ICAO works with its 193 Member States and all air transport stakeholders to develop standards and policies for international civil aviation, and undertakes planning and capacity building activities to support their implementation by Member States.

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Media Contact
William Raillant-Clark
Communications Officer 
wraillantclark [at] icao.int (wraillantclark[at]icao[dot]int)