Biometric boarding to be tested for trains and planes in Russia in 2026

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In Russia, in 2026, an experiment will be conducted using biometric technologies for passenger boarding on trains and planes. This was announced by the Russian Minister of Transport, Andrey Nikitin, in an interview with TASS.

According to him, testing of new solutions on the railway transport will begin in the Moscow region. First of all, the technology may be tested on routes within Moscow, including suburban directions. Currently, Russian Railways (RZD) is already conducting trials of the system on a limited group of users, assessing its reliability and efficiency. A pilot launch on selected routes is scheduled for 2026, after which a decision will be made on the possible expansion of the project.

At the same time, biometric technology is also planned to be tested in aviation. In March 2026, a pilot project will start at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg. The experiment involves Aeroflot, the Ministry of Digital Development, and the Biometric Data Center - the technology will be used at all stages of passenger service, from check-in to boarding. In Moscow, Sheremetyevo Airport may become the first airport to implement biometric technology.

The Minister emphasized that biometric identification will be an additional option and will not completely replace traditional documents. Passengers will be able to choose whether to confirm their identity using a passport or biometric data.