Travel Optimization Through Data-Driven Tech Is ‘Inevitable’

Q: How does Zamna aim to revolutionize the travel and aviation ecosystem through digital intelligence? 

A: The numerous manual processes and long queues observed in airports are common sources of frustration for travelers and high costs for the airlines. These issues often result in a suboptimal start to one's journey, particularly in congested airports, such as Mexico City International Airport (AICM). Zamna's innovative approach alleviates these pain invisibly inside the airline’s own brand, before passengers arrive at the airport. Rather than enduring the traditional airport check-in process, travelers can now complete many essential tasks in advance. This includes receiving a pre-flight checklist, scanning necessary documents for validation and obtaining clearance to proceed directly to the check-in counter.

Furthermore, Zamna's impact extends beyond individual airlines; it operates as a unified system that can validate passenger data seamlessly among airlines and governments who opt in to this process using the Zamna network. This means that, regardless of whether one flies with one Zamna-partnered airline or another, as long as consent is provided, passenger’s validated information remains accessible, ensuring a personalized and efficient experience.
The transition from repeated obligatory manual document checkpoints to supportive help or service points is a testament to Zamna's commitment to enhancing the value and efficiency of the entire travel ecosystem.

Q: What kind of data do you collect and what measures do you have in place to protect it?

A: We do not store data conventionally. Rather, we employ blockchain technology for its capacity to store information in a decentralized and anonymized manner. Zamna's solution operates within the airline's service infrastructure so sensitive data remains exclusively within the airline's servers, eliminating any external exposure that could make it vulnerable during transmission or storage. Zamna encrypts and decentralizes the information within the airline's servers and always relies on the individual passenger’s consent before the airline is able to do this.

If the airline needs to re-process the same document or individual passenger again, provided consent is given — the decentralized AI based digital intelligence powered by Zamna can be  retrieved. All sensitive data remains confined within the airline's server environment, never venturing beyond its protective confines — but in a format that is way more secure than what happens to open passenger data on airline servers today. This approach ensures full compliance with international regulatory requirements, including governmental regulations in each individual country that Zamna serves its clients, and aligns fully with data protection laws and aviation operational standards.

Q: What challenges and opportunities has Zamna deployed while implementing its solutions?

A: Zamna has strategically addressed a number of challenges while maintaining the adaptability required to cater to diverse regulatory environments across various regions globally. In Latin America, over 90% of passengers in Mexico and more than 80% in South America are already using digital or web check-in services, demonstrating a readiness among passengers to adopt digital channels to streamline their travel processes. However, airport infrastructure is a significant challenge in Latin America. Many regional airports still need to incorporate technology, such as web-based services, which can hinder the seamless adoption of digital solutions. Zamna's ability to provide its AI based digital intelligence in both digital channels and existing touchpoints (such as kiosks and check in desks) ensures flexibility and adaptability in order to integrate with existing and new technologies to bridge this gap.

Zamna recognizes the importance of staying nimble to address rapidly evolving regulations, such as the recent transition from AICM to Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA). Our integration with airlines is designed to complement their operations without necessitating any significant process changes (let alone any system overhauls). Unlike the competition, we aim to automate processes while ensuring compliance with changing regulations. If regulations evolve unexpectedly, our Zamna Guarantee provides a safety net. If we process a passenger incorrectly due to regulatory changes, any fines or liabilities are guaranteed and 100% absorbed by us, not the airline, offering peace of mind (of note: after over 70 million guaranteed results provided to our clients, this issue is yet to happen in our AI System).

Q: What benefits have airlines and other stakeholders experienced by implementing Zamna's technology, both in terms of operational efficiency and passenger experience?

A: Zamna's solutions deliver substantial benefits to airlines. First, the reduction in manual operations and airport-based passenger checks translate to 50-70% airport cost savings. Airlines can optimize staff allocation because fewer personnel are needed and fewer check-in counters when passengers arrive pre-validated. Second, our system eliminates friction in the passenger experience by reducing airline agents and passengers’ stress and wait times — meaning happier passengers and more efficient airline staff. Third, our solution also mitigates 100% of the costs associated with passenger inadmissibility. For airlines, the cost per passenger is a critical metric, especially for low-cost carriers. Zamna ensures that implementing these innovations does not increase operational expenses and removes all compliance fines.

Passengers gain control over their documentation process, no longer needing to decipher travel document requirements or engage in last-minute bureaucratic hassles. The process becomes user-friendly for both passengers and staff, as we provide clear instructions and offer any extra travel document application guidance. Passengers no longer need to input information manually; our system accepts scans or photos for automatic data extraction with AI. For repeat travelers, their validated information can be securely matched from past validations  in the airline’s system, eliminating the need to re-submit the same documents to the same airline and creating a smoother, more efficient pre-flight experience.

Q: Zamna's technology is focused on connecting and validating passenger data. How does this technology work and what is its significance in streamlining the travel process? 

A: Zamna's technology is centered around the seamless connection and validation of passenger data, incorporating various cutting-edge elements such as AI and blockchain to securely streamline the travel process. Our technology harnesses the power of Optical Character Recognition (OCR), which enables us to intelligently scan documents. This crucial capability enhances our system's ability to accurately read and process passenger data. We leverage blockchain technology to decentralize  and protect passenger data securely. To maintain the integrity of any data input, we provide expertise in data validations to detect potential fraud attempts.

We also establish a robust connection between our innovative AI with existing airline/airport systems infrastructure. When we validate a passenger's passport data, it undergoes a dual validation process by us and by the airport's system. The combined validation process reinforces the reliability of the data, making it as precious as a diamond in our system. We continually seek opportunities to enhance our technology. This includes the development of algorithms to monitor changing regulatory requirements. We are adept at integrating with different international entry-exit control systems that emerge over time.

Q: What do you foresee in the future of travel and data validation? How does Zamna plan to stay at the forefront of innovation in this field?

A: The trend toward automation and optimization in travel and aviation is inevitable. The rapid growth of our cities and the escalating demands necessitate a radical shift from the status quo. The mere expansion of airports and physical spaces is no longer sufficient. The future calls for a comprehensive overhaul through automation, leveraging the technology at our disposal to its fullest potential — without imposing new processes on either airlines or passengers. COVID-19 showed that using third party tools and apps to verify documents did not last. We also saw the chaos of manual checks for changing government rules, and both passengers and agents having to be a detective on the latest change. All of this should be automated with AI in the background, leaving humans to do what they do best: provide great service and enjoy the journey. Zamna is poised to be at the forefront of this exact transformative journey. Our vision encompasses the need for invisible automation and digital intelligence in the background, driving greater airline efficiency and streamlined passenger processes. We anticipate a future where the passenger experience is optimized to the highest degree, and where Zamna is the most successful company you have never heard of — just as we should be. We are the enablers behind the scenes, it is the airlines and passengers that are the stars of the show.

Q: What are Zamna's plans to expand in Mexico and Latin America in 2024? 

A: While we initially launched in the UK and engaged with UK-based airlines (our first client was IAG, the world’s third largest airline group), our vision was always to expand our presence globally. Our target market comprises international airlines, since these are currently paying millions in fines and operational costs which we can remove 100%. It is a relatively focused niche that nonetheless presents unique opportunities for growth. We recently entered the Middle Eastern market by securing a partnership with a major group: AACO Arab Air Carriers Organisation (a consortium of over 30 airlines). We are actively establishing our footprint in Latin America and North America, where we have secured clients such as WestJet in Canada and two further clients in Latin America who will be announcing their own PR soon on their terms. The Latin American region has shown a particularly promising interest in our services due to the complexity of regulations that airlines and passengers deal with in this region, and the strictness of entry regulations in and out of neighboring US.

To facilitate our expansion plans, we are actively seeking potential local investment and network partners to support our growth in Latin America. These partners will enable us to scale our operations and extend our reach within the aviation industry to serve more airlines and passengers globally.