BIOMETRIC BOARDING: Airport in Spain pilots facial recognition technology

AN airport in Spain is spearheading a facial recognition pilot project in Europe. The biometric technology is designed to speed passengers’ through the airport.

Passengers who voluntarily opt for biometric boarding will be able to pass through security checkpoints and the boarding gate without having to show their passport.

The facial recognition system incorporates a document reader and a camera which photographs the passenger. If the images match the passenger can access security checkpoints and the boarding gate without having to show their documentation again – although they should always have them to hand.

Menorca airport in Spain has been chosen to carry out the trial of the new system thanks to a collaboration between airport operator Aena and the Air Europa carrier.