IATA Reports 49% of Travelers Use AI for Trip Planning

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), nearly half of air travelers, specifically 49%, are using artificial intelligence (AI) for travel planning, as reported in the 2026 Global Passenger Survey released on October 28, 2026. The survey indicates that AI applications range from flight searches to destination discovery.

Regional adoption rates show the Middle East leading at 72%, followed by Asia-Pacific at 57% and Africa at 52%. Concerns about data security persist, with 59% of respondents worried about data breaches.

The survey also found that 43% of passengers were discouraged from visiting destinations due to immigration requirements, an increase from 33% in 2025. Additionally, the survey noted a growing acceptance of biometric identification and digital travel documents.

In Nigeria, the Federal Government approved the rollout of the VPASS biometric passenger identity verification system in April 2026 to enhance airport security. The survey collected over 10,000 responses from passengers across more than 200 countries.