40% of Aussies hit by major airport delays: is our border technology obsolete?

A study from the Australian Airports Association (AAA) found more than 40 per cent of Australians have experienced major delays at Australian airports in the past year.

The AAA Traveller Survey from November 2025 polled 500 Australians who had travelled by air recently about seamless travel.

It found 78 per cent of travellers support passport-less border processing at Australia's international airports to speed up their journey.

It also found 71 per cent of respondents support digitising incoming passenger cards via an app.

AAA chief executive Simon Westaway said with the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon, plus the forecast surge in international passengers, "we need to move quickly."

"Our neighbouring tourism competitors are already moving ahead," Mr Westaway said.

"Singapore and Indonesia are rolling out advanced biometric border systems, and New Zealand has shifted from paper arrival cards to a digital traveller declaration. Australia needs to catch up or risk falling behind.

"Record international air travel has driven Australian aviation growth, up 9.6 per cent last financial year, and we must now lay the groundwork for a modern, future-ready border experience."

Changi Airport in Singapore is at the forefront of automated biometric border processing.

All foreign visitors arriving at Changi can now use the automated lanes for immigration clearance.

Once they have self-enrolled their biometrics on their first trip into the country using the technology, they can use the automated lanes during departure and on subsequent trips to Singapore.

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First, foreign visitors must submit an arrival card online before their trip. At Changi, they proceed to the automated lanes, scan their passport for verification, present their biometrics (iris and facial) and scan their fingerprint when prompted. Visitors then receive an electronic visitor pass via email upon successful clearance.

When foreigners depart Changi, they don't need to scan their passport. The same clearance is available for Singapore nationals when exiting and entering the country.

Dubai has moved to a similar system, as has Denpasar in Bali.

Qantas is undertaking a trial with select Australian airports to phase out the paper incoming passenger card for international travellers.

The trial began in Brisbane in October 2024 with passengers on certain incoming flights from New Zealand eligible to complete the digital form in the Qantas app before travelling.

The trial was extended to certain flights entering Australia via Sydney Airport in August 2025.

"Australia's border agencies are striving towards efficient and modernised trade and travel," Australian Border Force commissioner Gav Reynolds said in August.

"A significant amount of collaborative work between industry and government, has gone into this pilot program. It is now entering the next phase as we continue to enhance the passenger experience, creating a seamless travel capability."