NATIONAL RISE INTERNATIONAL GROWTH
Delta Airlines is leading the way with
the launch of a fully-integrated biometric
terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta
International Airport. Delta has shown a
commitment to implementing emerging
technologies and was named one of Fast
Company’s “Most Innovative Companies
Worldwide” in 2018. In addition, the
airline owns a 5% stake in CLEAR. Delta
is also testing a self-service luggage kiosk
that will scan your face and verify your
passport so you can check your own bag.
Peter Vlitas, Travel Leaders’ SVP of
Airline Relations, notes, “Travel Leaders
partners with Delta because we both share
a vision of innovation and service, both
key components of our value proposition.”
Their “curb-to-gate” facial recognition
system for international travelers in
Atlanta’s airport started in December
2018 and will be available in the Detroit
Metropolitan Airport this year. Although
customers like the convenience of
biometric shortcuts, a 2018 Brookings poll
showed that 44% of respondents viewed
such systems unfavorably, as opposed to
31% who thought favorably of them with
privacy as the major concern. Insiders
believe that these stats will change
over time to a more favorable stance
once travelers experience how biometric
technology significantly expedites
their journeys.
Other airports are also test-driving
biometrics in the hopes of implementing
a broader plan. At Los Angeles
International Airport (LAX), they
just concluded a pilot program with
American Airlines, allowing passengers
to use facial recognition to enhance
international departures at Terminal 4.
And at Tampa International Airport
(TPA), three international gates at
Airside F will include biometric screening
for all international passengers with
the hopes of expanding to 10 gates by
2020. Once implemented, passengers
can simply choose to be identified with
facial recognition technology to board,
all without ever showing their passport at
the gate. The swell in biometric technology is not
just an American fad–it’s taking the whole
world by storm. British Airways—which
has already successfully used biometric
technology to board more than three
million passengers on domestic flights—
will now implement the technology for
international flights from Heathrow
Airport (LHR). The airline has installed
self-service boarding gates in their
international terminal, decreasing the
boarding time for passengers by 50%.
Trials are also underway at Brisbane
Airport (BNE) and Sydney Airport
(SYD), where, according to technology
provider SITA, linking a traveler’s face to
their travel documents reduces checking in
and boarding times by a whopping 70%!
And at Dubai International Airport
(DXB), Emirates is mixing facial and iris
recognition software to launch a “biometric
path,” creating a seamless experience for
passengers to check in for their flight, pass
through immigration, access the always
popular Emirates Lounge and then board
their flights.
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