Madrid Airport pilots Thales face biometrics on tablets for smoother passenger journey

Madrid Airport is piloting face biometrics from Thales to identify passengers using mobile devices for a fast, smooth, safe and contactless airport experience across all airport procedures.

The biometric project is being carried out by AENA Airports Authority, which is part of a consortium along with airline Iberia, systems integrator Inetum and Thales, which provides the identity verification and biometric technology. AENA is responsible for the integration between the airline’s system and biometric engine. The innovation project is intended to build health measures to fight COVID-19 spread into air travel operations, according to the announcement.

The project is also supported by Spain’s Industrial Technology Development Center (CDTI), which is contributing with a research and development cooperation program.

Tablets will be used at Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to make the solution mobile and flexible, and allow a limited number of units to be used with a large number of flights. The system also features improved biometric detection capabilities, to identify passengers without having them remove their masks.

The CDTI research and development program complies with new contactless security requirements, and will be built around the facial recognition pilot to expand the solution’s feature-set. The features will be integrated into a unified process running on a dedicated application, along with new controls for security and boarding.

Thales is also working with SITA on a biometric passenger management system at Bahrain International Airport.

Canadian operations on best employers list

Thales has also been recognized as one of Canada’ Best Employers in 2021, according to Forbes.

The company operates global Centers of Excellence in artificial intelligence, fly-by-wire control systems and optronics in Montreal, and one in urban rail signaling in Toronto. Thales footprint in eight cities across four Canadian provinces includes a workforce of more than 2,500.

“Thales is honoured to be recognized by Forbes as one of Canada’s Best Employers, especially given COVID-19’s tremendous impact to Canadian employees and their workplaces,” says Thales Canada President and CEO Mark Halinaty. “This acknowledgment is a testament to our exceptional team, their agility and their unwavering commitment to serving our customers in Canada and around the world.”

Article Topics

airport biometrics  |  biometric identification  |  biometrics  |  contactless biometrics  |  facial recognition  |  passenger processing  |  Spain  |  Thales