NFC — Near Field Communication

NFC in Aviation

NFC is the enabling technology behind contactless boarding and mobile payment at airports. It operates at 13.56 MHz and requires the device to be within approximately 10 centimetres of the reader — a deliberate security feature that prevents unintended reads.

NFC Boarding Passes

NFC-enabled mobile boarding passes are stored in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. When the passenger taps their phone on the gate reader, the boarding pass data (BCBP encoded) is transmitted via NFC and validated against the DCS in real time. This eliminates the need to display a QR/barcode on screen.

NFC vs QR Code

Both NFC and QR codes are valid BCBP delivery mechanisms. NFC is faster, more reliable in poor lighting and works even when the phone screen is off (if the device supports Express Mode). QR codes work on any smartphone without NFC capability.

NFC at Airport Security

Some airports are testing NFC-enabled identity verification at security checkpoints, combining the NFC chip in the e-passport with biometric facial recognition to provide a fast, document-free security lane.

NFC in Airport Retail

Beyond boarding, NFC enables contactless payment throughout the airport — retail, food and beverage, and duty-free. Many airports have moved to fully contactless payment environments, particularly following COVID-19 hygiene considerations.