SITA: Electronic Personnel License (EPL) Blockchain Solution

2021: Announcement of a blockchain solution for checking the electronic personnel license (EPL)

On November 17, 2021, the company, in the SITA ITprovider field of air, transport announced the development blockchain of a solution that allows checking the electronic personnel license (EPL) without connecting to the network.

SITA introduced blockchain solution for checking electronic personnel license

According to the company, after deciding to create a digital standard for the use of EPL on international flights, ICAO called checking documents without connecting to the network a necessary step to optimize the work of civil aviation authorities around the world. SITA began upgrading the license verification system in 2019. In 2020, when the company integrated its solution into the work of the Chinese Civil Aviation Authority (CAAC) and proved the effectiveness of the concept, SITA introduced autonomous pilot license verification through decentralized identification based on blockchain technology. The existence of an example of the integration of autonomous verification allowed the ICAO Aeronautical Commission to issue a recommendation on the prompt development of an international standard for electronic personnel licenses.

In March 2022, the ICAO Council will consider adopting a standard that will accelerate the spread of EPL and introduce autonomous verification systems by the end of 2022, citing SITA as an example. The SITA Electronic Personnel License is another step towards optimizing multi-party resource-intensive processes related to the issuance and verification of personnel licenses. However, the solution can help prevent fraud and securely store personal information. The pandemic exposed the urgent need for digitalization, since due to the closure of offices, civil aviation authorities could not issue or renew paper licenses of pilots. The issuance of a digital document takes several days, while it can take several weeks to obtain a paper license, which entails significant costs for operators and government agencies. In addition, the only option to double-check such a document is to contact the place of its issuance, which can lead to malfunctions in offices and flight delays.

However, centralized databases with confidential information are vulnerable to hacking and other violations, and a centralized information management system is not in all respects suitable for the aviation ecosystem with the participation of various states and organizations. In this situation, the best solution is blockchain technology, which eliminates the need for a centralized database and provides autonomous verification.

SITA's solution to implement offline verification in the EPL system is based on the self-identification model (SSI) using decentralized technology that gives users control over personal data, allowing them to share trusted information for verification and eliminating the risk of leakage. Previously, SITA used decentralized identification in the Aruba Health App. The civil aviation authority creates accounting data by collecting information for issuing a license to a pilot. Once the document is received, it saves and provides credentials for verification if necessary. They can be controlled in a digital wallet from a mobile application compatible with the current civil aviation program.

Using a mobile application, an authorized inspector can request, obtain and verify a pilot's license, as well as transfer credentials without connecting to the network using media such as a QR code. This system verifies the license by replacing the access to civil aviation offices for manual inspections. Pilots will no longer have to worry about losing or replacing credentials on physical media.

The solution ensures confidentiality and secure storage of personal data. In addition, it is designed to optimize industry costs: despite the fact that SITA blockchain technology was developed for pilots of international flights, civil aviation authorities can equally use the electronic license system for all employees, while increasing their investments.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the digitalization of the air transport industry, but the possibility of implementing a digital standard for electronic personnel licenses will be visible in the long term. These include simpler and faster interaction between civil aviation authorities around the world, as well as a solution to the problem of fraud and a gradual reduction in costs. We express our gratitude to SITA for its readiness, in partnership with the Civil Aviation Authority of China, to develop a concept that allows us to use opportunities for the development of the entire aviation industry. emphasized Miguel Marin, Head of Flight Safety at ICAO

Cooperation in the development and implementation of an electronic personnel license is part of an agreement between ICAO and SITA, signed for five years and aimed at supporting the global aviation community.