Airport Innovation Forum discusses biometrics to smooth travelers passage through terminals

A recent Airport Innovation Forum held in Australia discussed how biometrics, such as facial recognition technology, were increasingly being used to help smooth travellers passage through airport terminals and ports.

In an article by Robyn Ironside of the News Corp Australia Network, World Travel and Tourism Council CEO David Scowsill commented: “Keeping the travelers moving means a lot more automation, a lot more visa waiver programs put in place and making sure we facilitate travel rather than stop it.”

Ironside reported that Group Manager of Border Operations for the New Zealand Customs Service, Anne Marie Taggart, said biometrics could help identify the two per cent of travelers that were of interest to border control and streamline the experience for the remaining 98 per cent.

“Right from the bridge all the way through the airport environment, biometrics can be checked,” Ms Taggart said. “It’s already being tested in Europe with some success.”

Previously reported, Portugal was one of the first countries in Europe to introduce automated border control (ABC) technology following the implementation of the electronic passport.

Vision-Box’s RAPID system was launched in 2007 and was the first ABC system in the world to recognize travelers using face biometrics. The subsequent rollout of a state-of-the-art integrated ABC solution, also by Vision-Box, included over 100 ABC eGates at 7 international airports in Portuguese mainland and Azores and Madeira islands, to become the first large-scale automated borders program worldwide.

Article Topics

airports  |  biometric authentication  |  biometrics  |  border security  |  facial recognition  |  identity verification