Auckland Airport adds Vision-Box eGates, more biometric touchpoints in the cards for 2020

Auckland Airport in New Zealand has rolled out 12 new biometric screening eGates developed in partnership with Vision-Box to automate the processing system at international departures to improve customer journey for its annual average of 10.3 million international passengers, writes NZ Herald.

The security gates scan boarding passes and faces let passengers pass through, and are deployed at the international terminal where approximately 7,000 passengers are scanned per hour.

According to Anna Cassels-Brown, general manager of operations at the airport, future plans may include biometric authentication.

“Where possible we see automation as a key way to improve the airport system by being more accurate, reliable and faster,” Cassels-Brown said. “We still need check-in, baggage drop, customs and security screening. But what technology can do is allow us to link the process together and streamline information in the background, helping to make the experience as seamless as possible.”

In partnership with Terminal One Group Association (TOGA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Vision-Box launched a facial recognition boarding system at JFK airport in October for seamless biometric boarding. The Auckland airport system, based on Vision-Box’s Orchestra shared biometrics services platform for enhanced security and efficiency, will be completely rolled out in 2020, according to Cassels-Brown. The integration will enable the pre-security gates to receive real-time flight information, multi-boarding pass processing, and will provide real-time reporting for airline and ground handlers and staff ID validation.

In September, Vision-Box entered a five-year contract with Australia’s Department of Home Affairs to extend the biometric SmartGates Departures Program to June 2026. In the meantime, however, Home Affairs removed all public information about the project from its website, leaving the public wondering about the continuity of the project.

Article Topics

airports  |  biometrics  |  eGates  |  facial recognition  |  New Zealand  |  passenger processing