Orlando airport deploying SITA tech at international boarding gates for biometric exit
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) has selected SITA as its technology partner for the first airport to implement the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP’s) biometric exit program at all international boarding gates, according to an announcement.
SITA’s Smart Path technology will be integrated with 30 boarding gates in the coming months.
The GOAA, CBP, and SITA began a trial earlier this year with British Airways at the Orlando International Airport, and SITA’s Sales Director of Government Markets recently told Biometric Update that the investment made by GOAA represents a potential turning point for airport biometrics.
The trial shows the biometric check has made passenger boarding quicker and easier, in addition to satisfying security requirements, as British Airways is able to board flights of nearly 240 people in about 15 minutes, SITA says.
“Our decision to implement biometric exit checks across the whole airport follows a hugely successful live trial,” says GOAA Chief Information Officer John Newsome. “The innovative boarding process we tested is really popular with passengers. They simply look at the camera and within seconds the gate opens and they can board the flight. It is easy, fast and most importantly, secure. The solution works on common-use boarding gates and can be easily used by the many international airlines that we serve at MCO.”
“GOAA’s implementation of SITA Smart Path for the U.S. CBP biometric exit checks will deliver a simpler travel process for the airport’s six million annual international passengers,” comments SITA President, Americas, Diana Einterz. “SITA is a world-leader in biometrics and we are committed to delivering secure seamless journeys for airline passengers globally. It is great to be GOAA’s technology partner as it becomes the first airport to fully implement biometrics for international flights from the U.S.”
The implementation is expected to be completed by October.
CBP recently announced plans to include vehicles at land ports of entry in its biometric exit program.
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