SITA, an IT provider for the air travel industry, has unveiled its first proof-of-concept for a solution that enables travelers to check in at the airport, gain access to members’ lounges and board their flight all with a simple tap of an NFC-enabled phone.

SITA Lab, the technology research arm of SITA, has developed the solution alongside Orange Business Services is a joint innovation program. Together, the partners have demonstrated that boarding passes and access credentials can be successfully stored on an NFC-enabled SIM card via a Trusted Service Manager (TSM) for a quicker and easier way to get through the airport.

According to SITA, this is the first demonstration of NFC that has won the favor of the GSM Association and has already been selected by 45 mobile operators representing more than 60% of the mobile phone market.

Airport equipment providers DESKO and Kaba also joined SITA and Orange in the development of the pilot, providing scanners, readers and security access gates.

According to SITA, the International Air Travel Association (IATA) has also expressed interest in the technology, and along with GSMA, has examined six main use cases – passenger check-in, baggage check-in, security check-point, lounge access, boarding and post-flight – and listed the benefits of mobile NFC for air travel.