What does the new ENAC provision provide?
The rule, introduced with the approval of the Ministry of the Interior, modifies a key section of the “National Program for Civil Aviation Security .” Specifically, it eliminates the requirement for airlines to verify, upon boarding, that the name on the boarding pass matches the name on the passenger’s identification document. Simply put, for domestic flights and flights to Schengen countries, it will be sufficient to present the boarding pass , without having to show an identity document.
This simplification aims to streamline boarding flows , reduce waiting times and make airlines more responsible for the initial identification process, already carried out during check-in.
What are the exceptions?
The exemption does not apply to all destinations. In fact, the Ministry of the Interior has confirmed the requirement for identity verification in the following cases :
- Flights to France, Germany, Holland, Sweden
- All non-Schengen flights , including Ireland
- All intercontinental flights (e.g. USA, Asia, South America)
In these cases, gate checks remain mandatory and must be carried out as per previous practice.
In addition, random checks are also planned on domestic flights , to ensure the general safety of air transport.
Non-uniform application and reactions in the sector
Despite the directive’s clarity, practice has not changed at many Italian airports. Some carriers and handling companies (i.e., those that manage ground services on behalf of airlines) continue to require ID checks at the gate, causing confusion among passengers, who are now aware of the new policy.
This lack of uniformity raises questions about the national airport system’s ability to quickly incorporate regulatory changes . Some operators appear to want to maintain more stringent procedures to avoid disputes or misunderstandings, in the absence of a well-structured operational transition.
ENAC’s position: inspections and sanctions are coming
ENAC President Pierluigi Di Palma has reiterated on several occasions that the new provision is mandatory for all airport system stakeholders , and that independent exemptions are not permitted.
“Handling companies cannot autonomously decide to ignore a national regulation. We are already organizing inspections at airports, and those who fail to comply will be fined for non-compliance with the authorities’ orders,” Di Palma stated.
The sanctions envisaged refer to the general rules on non-compliance with ENAC regulations and could affect both airport operators and airlines that fail to comply with the new procedure.
Wider: implications between safety, efficiency and passenger trust
This new measure is part of a European context of simplification of controls and digitalisation of travel procedures , in which biometric check-in and automatic checks at border crossings are becoming the norm.
However, the removal of document control could also raise security concerns , especially at a time when monitoring passenger flows remains a geopolitical priority.
The topic is therefore destined to fuel the debate between the right to rapid mobility and the duty to control , in a historical phase in which efficiency and safety must coexist in balance.
In summary
The document is no longer mandatory at the gate for domestic and Schengen flights
It remains necessary for extra-Schengen and intercontinental flights
Some airports have not complied and risk sanctions
ENAC launches inspections to verify effective implementation
At stake are the safety, speed and trust of the traveler
