VINCI Airports and Aeroportos de Portugal (ANA) have partnered with Vision-Box to trial a new biometric boarding system for passengers in Portugal.
At the beginning of the year, the project was launched in Lisbon and Porto airports and will be extended to Faro, Madeira, and Ponta Delgada for the second half of 2024. The initial trial will be with selected passengers on TAP Air Portugal who will be able to rely on facial recognition software to board, with no need to present a pass.
According to the press release, the registration process for passengers on these test flights is as easy as: in the app or at the kiosk, simply photograph/scan your boarding pass, electronic passport or Portuguese nationality card and take a selfie, accepting the terms and conditions.
Thierry Ligonnière, CEO of ANA Aeroportos, said:
“We are very excited about this launch, which represents the most advanced investment in innovation at airports with tangible results for the traveller experience. Facial recognition technology will enable a faster, simpler journey where travellers gain comfort and time, ensuring complete security and confidentiality of their data and the process. We are excited about this launch and the expansion of biometrics to more airlines and airports, making the boarding process even more efficient.”
The new launch aims to simplify the journey for passengers, streamlining the airport process and offering a paperless, contactless journey. Additionally, biometrics increase security using advanced algorithms to confirm the identity of passengers.
Historically, biometric solutions have raised questions around data privacy but TAP’s press released confirmed that personal data will be protected until the flight’s departure, at which point it will be deleted.
For more like this see:
- The 10 most powerful passports in 2024 and how they’re changing
- Airport CIO panel: Roadmapping the biometric experience
- Passengers Welcome Biometrics, IATA Finds
