• Mobile Reliance Rising: More travelers are managing every stage of their journey using smartphones.
• Biometric Adoption Accelerating: Use of biometrics and digital identity is expanding to enable more seamless airport processing, and travelers like it.

“Passengers want to manage their travel the same way they manage many other aspects of their lives, on their smartphones and using digital ID. As experience grows with digital processes from booking to baggage claim, the message that travelers are sending in this year’s GPS is clear: they like it, and they want more of it. There is an important caveat which is the need to continue building trust, so cybersecurity remains a priority. Cybersecurity must be core to the end-to-end digital transformation of how we book, pay, and experience air travel,” said Nick Careen, IATA’s senior vice president, Operations, Safety and Security.

Mobile-Reliance Rising

The GPS confirms that mobile devices have become central to the passenger journey. Travelers are increasingly using their smartphones to book flights, manage payments and loyalty programs, and handle check-in, immigration, boarding, and baggage processes. Enthusiasm for mobile-enabled travel is higher than ever.

• Booking and payment habits are shifting toward mobile channels. Over half of travelers (54%) want to deal directly with airlines, and they are doing that increasingly with mobile apps. Airline websites remained the most popular booking preference at 31%, but this was down from 37% in 2024. In 2025, web apps were the preferred choice for 19% of travelers, trending upwards from the 16% in 2024. This move was led by younger travelers (25%) which is an indication that the trend of shifting to mobile options is likely to strengthen over time.
• Payment preferences are also evolving. While credit and debit cards remain dominant (72%), this marks a significant drop from 2024 (79%). Digital wallet use has increased  significantly (from 20% in 2024 to 28% in 2025), and instant payment methods, such as IATA Pay, have also grown (from 6% in 2024 to 8% in 2025).
• Passengers want their smartphones to do more for them: 78% of passengers want to use a smartphone that combines a digital wallet, digital passport, and loyalty cards to book, pay, and navigate airport processes. Use of electronic bag tags is also on the rise, increasing from 28% in 2024 to 35% in 2025, allowing passengers to generate their bag tags directly from a mobile device during check-in.

Biometric Adoption Accelerates

The use of biometrics at airports is expanding, and passenger satisfaction with biometrics has reached its highest level yet.

• Half of passengers (50%) have used biometrics at some point in their airport journey, up from 46% in 2024. Usage is most common at security (44%), exit immigration (41%), and entry immigration (35%). Notably, biometric use has risen by nearly 20 percentage points since 2022.

• Passengers who have used biometrics report high levels of satisfaction with 85% saying they are happy with the experience.
• 74% of travelers say they would be willing to share their biometric information if it means they can skip showing a passport or boarding pass at checkpoints like check-in, security, border control, and boarding.
• Privacy remains a concern, but there is room to build trust; 42% of passengers who are currently unwilling to share their biometric info say they would reconsider if data privacy was assured.

“Passengers are already using biometrics for different stages of their journey, from check-in to boarding. But to make the international travel experience fully digital, governments need to start issuing digital passports and enable their secure recognition across borders. When that becomes common practice, travelers, governments, and airlines will all see the benefits of digital identity with an experience that is even more convenient, efficient, and secure,” said Careen.

Regional Trends 

Africa
African passengers value the human touch; they are most likely to book through airline offices or call centers.

Their satisfaction levels are among the highest globally, ranking second overall. Yet they face the greatest border challenges, with visa and immigration complexity cited as key barriers. Simplifying these processes could unlock major growth.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific travelers are the most digitally savvy, with the highest overall satisfaction levels among global travelers. They lead in using mobile apps and digital wallets to book and pay for travel, and are the least likely to use credit cards.

They are also among the most frequent users of biometrics, though their satisfaction with these experiences is the lowest. This tech-forward group expects ever faster and more seamless journeys.

Europe

European passengers are the most traditional and cautious. They prefer to book directly through airline websites and typically pay by credit or debit cards.

They are the least likely of all regions to have used biometrics in the past year and remain more hesitant to share data in advance or replace travel documents with digital identification. Despite this cautious approach to technology, European travelers rank as the fourth most satisfied globally.

North America

North American travelers prioritize convenience above all else. They are the most likely to choose flights based on total journey time and fewer layovers, and they rely heavily on airline websites for booking.

Despite this focus on convenience, they are among the least satisfied travelers globally, ranking second from last across all regions. Biometrics are widely used, but privacy concerns are the strongest globally. Efficiency and trust in data security are top priorities for this region.

Latin America & the Caribbean

Latin American and Caribbean travelers value personal interaction when booking and prefer to pay with credit or debit cards.

They are more likely than any other region to obtain visas from a consulate or embassy.

While they use biometrics less frequently, they show strong willingness to adopt the technology and report high satisfaction when they do.

Personal service and convenience are top priorities for this region; yet overall, they are the least satisfied travelers globally.

Middle East

Loyalty matters to Middle East passengers. They favor airports with strong service reputations and their preferred airlines.

They are highly digitally engaged, with widespread use of digital wallets and strong enthusiasm for smartphone-based travel credentials.

They are among the most satisfied travelers globally, ranking third overall. Loyalty and service quality remain top priorities in this region.

The post Report: Mobile and Digital ID are the Future of Travel appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Techeconomy gathered from FlightAware that operators are experiencing flight delays and cancelations. As at the time of filling this report, the total flight cancellations for Thursday at Dubai Airport were 32, while total delays were 563.

FlightAware provides accurate real-time, historical and predictive flight insights to all segments of the aviation industry.

In the last three days (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday), there have been about 1,145 flights have been cancelled, according to data from Flightradar24.

Online videos showed the airport’s critical infrastructure being heavily flooded, with residents struggling through floodwater to reach their abandoned cars.

Authorities at the world’s second busiest airport described the situation as historic and unprecedented.

In 2023, the airport recorded approximately 38 million arrivals, 37.805 million departures, and 58.328 million transit passengers, according to Emirates News Agency.

The head of Dubai Airport, Paul Griffiths, said on X (former Twitter) “It remains an incredibly challenging time. In living memory, I don’t think anyone has ever seen conditions like this.”

In response to the severe weather conditions affecting the UAE, President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has directed authorities to conduct a comprehensive review of the country’s infrastructure.

This includes assessing the damage caused by heavy rainfall and providing assistance to affected families.

The president has instructed officials to prioritize the safety and well-being of citizens, including facilitating the transfer of families to safe locations.

Some passengers affected by flight delays and cancellations at the airport called out Emirates on X.

An X user, Amy Clowrey, tagged Emirates and posted on Thursday, “Slightly confused, @emirates. My flight is on time, but check-in and bag drop are closed. So how can I make my flight? I was told all flights were canceled. Why we were not informed via email so we didn’t turn up to the airport, and why does it still say my flight is on time?

Her second post read, “Flight left without me, @emirates. Stood in a bag drop for an hour, then told to go to the check-in desk. There for 2+ hours and realised the flight had left (no email update). Now I have to rebook. Where are your staffs on the ground!? Arrived at 5 a.m. It’s now almost 1 p.m.”

Another user identified as Benz wrote, “Our Emirates connecting flight is from Dubai on the 16th. Our flight is canceled, and our luggage is with the flight. For two days, we didn’t have anything, so we stayed in a hotel. We have a flight today, the 18th. I don’t know where to collect bags, rechecking or not.”

Emirates reacts

Emirates has issued a statement in response to the flight cancellations and disruptions caused by the recent adverse weather and road conditions.

The airline urges customers affected by flight cancellations to reach out to their booking agents, direct message Emirates, or visit emirat.es/support for assistance with rebooking.

Acknowledging the ongoing delays in both arriving and departing flights, Emirates extends its sincerest apologies to impacted customers.

The airline recognizes the challenges faced by travelers and expresses appreciation for their understanding during this difficult time.

Part of the statement posted on X read, “While some customers have been able to return home or reach their destination, we are aware that many are still waiting to get on flights.

“Our teams are working hard to restore our scheduled operations, as well as secure accommodation and other amenities for affected customers at the airport.

“Our primary concern will always be the safety of our customers and crew, and this will never be compromised.”

Check-in reopens for Emirates, flydubai

The airport announced on Thursday the reopening of check-in services for Emirates and flydubai flights operating out of Terminal 3.

In a statement posted on its website, the airport emphasized the need for passengers to only come to Terminal 3 if they have received confirmation from their respective airlines regarding their flight departure.

Part of the statement read,

“There is currently a high volume of guests in the Terminal 3 check-in area. Passengers should only come to Terminal 3 if they have received a confirmation from their airline regarding their flight departure. Please contact your airline for the latest information on your flight status.

“We are working to process guests as quickly as possible and get everyone traveling to their destination.”

The post Dubai Airport Faces Flight Cancellations after Historic Heavy Downpour appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Whether you’re planning a holiday getaway or an adventure any time of the year, a little strategic planning can go a long way. While booking early is generally a good strategy, the dynamism of flight prices demands a bit more finesse. 

That’s where Google Flights steps in, offering a range of tools to empower travelers seeking thrifty options.

Insights into the Perfect Timing to Book Your Flight

You may have heard the age-old question: Is it better to book now or wait for prices to drop? Google Flights is taking the guesswork out of this equation with upgraded insights. Alongside the existing ability to compare current prices to past averages, the new feature provides valuable data on the best times to book. 

Imagine knowing that the optimal time to secure a deal is often two months before departure for similar trips. Or discovering that waiting until closer to takeoff has historically yielded lower prices. Armed with this knowledge, you can make your booking decisions with greater confidence.

Price Tracking: Let Google Flights Do the Heavy Lifting

For those who want to capitalize on falling fares, Google Flights introduces an effortless solution: price tracking. With this feature activated, the platform will automatically notify you of significant price drops. It doesn’t matter if it’s your friend’s destination wedding or a spontaneous adventure, you can set up tracking for specific dates or opt for “Any dates” tracking to stay informed about deals in the upcoming months. All you need to do is ensure you’re logged into your Google account.

Price Guarantee Badge: Assurance for Savvy Shoppers

Spotting the colorful price guarantee badge on select flight results is your key to a confident booking. This badge signifies Google Flights’ strong belief that the displayed fare won’t drop further before departure. Once you book a flight with this badge, Google Flights will closely monitor the price leading up to takeoff. If the fare does decrease, the difference will be reimbursed to you via Google Pay. Keep in mind that this perk is currently available through a pilot program for specific Book on Google itineraries departing from the U.S.

2023 Flight Booking Trends: Navigating Your Budget-Friendly Travel

Beyond these innovative tools, Google Flights equips travelers with valuable insights derived from booking trends. Informed by historical pricing data, Google Flights has identified strategies to help you save even more. These tried-and-true tips include opting for layovers and avoiding weekend departures. However, a few new trends have emerged for the current year:

Booking for Christmas: If you’re eyeing a mid-December getaway, the best time to book is around early October. Unlike previous years, average prices tend to be at their lowest 71 days prior to departure. The ideal booking window now falls between 54 and 78 days before takeoff.

Transatlantic Flights: Traveling from the U.S. to Europe demands early action. With average prices hitting rock bottom at 72 days or more before departure, procrastination might lead to higher fares. In other words, lock in your European adventure as soon as possible to secure the best rates.

Armed with these insights and tools, you’re well-equipped for a successful and affordable flight booking journey. You could be chasing holiday cheer or embarking on a transcontinental adventure, have in mind that Google Flights’ features and trends have your back. Bon voyage and safe travels!

The post Google Flights Offers Cheaper Rates with New Features appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.