Overview of latest trends in proliferation and implementation of biometrics, Digital ID and personalisation across key airports.
(Image Source)
GLOThe resurgence of air travel brings both hope and renewed attention to long-standing issues that have plagued travelers even before the pandemic. Long queues and flight delays at airports have made a comeback, often exacerbated by post-pandemic staffing shortages.
However, the aviation industry is discovering that by harnessing smart IT solutions, it can mitigate the time and inconveniences associated with air travel, addressing the heightened expectations of modern passengers. A survey conducted by Fast Future Publishing reveals that 70% of air travelers desire seamless, no-stop border controls, 65% prefer touchless curb-to-cabin biometric checks, and 60% seek digital passports with data deletion after use.
The industry is evidently shifting in this direction.
Facial Recognition Technology Leading the Way
SITA, a prominent air transport IT provider, envisions a future where travelers possess electronic IDs on personal devices that can clear all stages of the travel process, including check-in, bag drop, departure, security, health, and border checkpoints—all without physical contact or paper documentation. In this vision, diverse IDs and equipment from different providers can cooperate, facilitated by a common service that enables seamless communication. SITA aspires to be that common service.
While this grand vision is still on the horizon, airlines and airports are recovering from the financial impact of the pandemic and increasing their investments in IT. The removal of masks has made facial recognition more viable. Many smaller elements are falling into place, making SITA’s vision, or a similar one, more plausible.
(Image Source)
Source: SITA
North America Takes Steps
Delta Air Lines in North America is already piloting a digital ID system, enabling passengers to navigate Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and Detroit Metro Airport without displaying physical documents. In collaboration with the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), this digital ID employs facial matching during bag drop, security checks, and departure.
To participate in this program, passengers must be members of Delta’s frequent flyer program and TSA’s PreCheck, with their passports and known traveler numbers stored in their Delta profiles. Delta’s digital ID utilizes passengers’ passport photos, retained by the government, for facial matching during bag drop and security procedures.
This program is set to expand to international flights from Atlanta Hartfield and to airports such as New York LaGuardia, Los Angeles LAX, and New York JFK. Delta reports a 75% reduction in bag drop time due to digital ID, with a majority of eligible passengers opting for this technology. Jason Lim, TSA’s identity management capabilities manager, notes that the program enhances security by using government photos and significantly reduces ID check times during peak periods. Lim is also collaborating with other US airlines to extend the program.
(Image Source)
Source: Delta Air
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) already uses passengers’ digitized passport photos through its Simplified Arrival Program, which employs biometric facial comparison instead of traditional passport inspection. By summer 2023, CBP had processed 200 million passengers using this biometric facial comparison.
Other US carriers are following suit, with American Airlines offering express bag-tagging kiosks and United Airlines automating bag drops with biometrics by 2024.
Challenges in Latin America
In Latin America, there is a need for more IT innovation at airports, although governments often resist such advancements due to concerns about potential job losses. For instance, governments worry that facial recognition could reduce the need for immigration officers. However, proponents argue that this technology primarily replaces routine passport stamping, freeing officers for more critical duties.
Efforts are underway to encourage airlines to automatically share passenger data with security services, eliminating the redundancy of passengers filling out paper or online forms. Additionally, there is a push for more automatic ticket readers to replace personnel safeguarding secure areas of airports.
Leaders in Innovation
Despite these challenges, some airports in Latin America have embraced innovation. Montevideo’s Carrasco International Airport was the first in the region to install biometric border eGates for arrivals and introduced a digital passenger journey solution in 2018.
Another innovator is Queen Beatrix International Airport in Aruba, which collaborates with tech providers Indicio and SITA to enable travelers to meet entry requirements digitally before boarding. Travelers can create digital travel credentials in their mobile wallets from physical passports and share them at various points during their journey.
Progress in Europe and Asia-Pacific
European airports are increasing IT investments to streamline passenger journeys, with a focus on touchless technology and smartphone data processing. Swedavia, which operates major Swedish airports, is testing biometric checks and digital queuing notification systems. Lufthansa is working on digital IDs and facial recognition for all airport touchpoints, with several airports already offering facial recognition to frequent flyers.
(Image Source)
Source: Lufthansa
Asia-Pacific airports like Auckland, Kuala Lumpur, Bengaluru, Narita, Haneda, and Hamad have adopted facial recognition for smoother travel experiences. Other airports in the region are also implementing IT solutions, such as virtual assistants, chatbots, AI-powered security cameras, and robotics, to enhance passenger journeys.
The Vision for a Seamless Future
The ultimate goal remains enabling passengers to provide all necessary information for health, security, and border checks digitally before arriving at the airport, with only facial recognition checks required at various touchpoints. Achieving this will depend on not only technology but also infrastructure investment and effective management by government security agencies.
Innovations such as CT scanners at security lines, streamlined check-in processes, and digital queuing systems are making air travel more efficient and convenient. The industry is moving towards a future where technology and passenger-centric solutions significantly improve the air travel experience.
