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Biometric technology has been implemented at airports to enhance security and efficiency. This technology uses unique individual traits, such as fingerprints or facial scans, to verify a person's identity. The use of biometrics at airports started in 2001 when U.S. legislation mandated its use for entry and exit. Since then, its adoption has grown, and it is now used at various airports worldwide, including in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Biometric systems offer a contactless way of identity verification, reducing human error and minimizing queues. They also provide an opportunity to streamline travel data and connect passengers to a larger travel ecosystem, including health and vaccine records. While biometric technology offers many benefits, there are also concerns about privacy and data protection that need to be addressed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of airports using Biometric Facial Comparison Technology | 238 |
| Number of CBP Preclearance locations | 14 |
| Number of locations for air exit | 49 |
| Airports using Biometric Facial Comparison Technology | Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHX), Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Guam Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport (GUM), Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA), Bermuda L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), Charlotte Amalie Harbor Seaplane Base (SPB), St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX), St. Thomas Cyril E. King Airport (STT), Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) |
| Airports where TSA demonstrated CAT-2 | Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Indianapolis International Airport (IND), Miami International Airport (MIA) |
| Airports where Delta Air Lines piloted the use of CBP's Traveler Verification Service systems | Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) |
| Airports where Spirit Airlines piloted a biometric check-in ticket lobby | Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, New York’s LaGuardia Airport |
| Airports that have implemented biometric boarding | Dubai International Airport, Frankfurt Airport, Heathrow Airport, Dublin Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Seoul Gimpo Air |
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What You'll Learn
Airports with biometric entry systems
Biometric entry systems have been implemented in airports around the world to enhance security and improve the efficiency of identity verification. This technology was first introduced in 2001 when U.S. legislation mandated biometrics for entry and exit procedures. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of biometrics, with nearly three-quarters of airports now investing in biometric solutions.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has implemented facial biometrics into the entry processes at all international airports and the exit processes at 57 airport locations. CBP uses Biometric Facial Comparison Technology to match live images of travellers with existing photo templates from their travel documents. Airports utilising this technology include Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHX), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), and Guam Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport (GUM), among others.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has also been testing and deploying biometric technology at various airports. TSA PreCheck® and CBP Global Entry programs utilise facial identification capabilities to compare passenger images with a database of pre-enrolled reference photos. This technology has been piloted at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Indianapolis International Airport (IND), and Miami International Airport (MIA).
Additionally, several other airports have implemented biometric boarding, including Dubai International Airport, Frankfurt Airport, and Heathrow Airport. Biometric technology has also been trialled at San Francisco International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, and New York's LaGuardia Airport. These implementations have resulted in reduced boarding times, enhanced security, and a more seamless travel experience for passengers.
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Benefits of biometric entry systems
Biometric entry systems are being used at many airports around the world to enhance security and improve travellers' experiences. This technology has been implemented in response to the 9/11 Commission Report, which authorised the US government to use an automated system to record the arrivals and departures of visitors at all air, sea, and land ports of entry.
Improved Security
Biometric facial comparison technology adds an extra layer of security by utilising touch-free technology that streamlines entry procedures. This technology matches live images of travellers with existing photo templates from passenger travel documents, making it more difficult for impostors to enter the country. For example, CBP has processed more than 540 million travellers using this technology and prevented more than 2,000 impostors from entering the US.
Enhanced Efficiency
Biometric entry systems make existing travel requirements more efficient, creating a seamless and secure experience for travellers. This technology automates the current manual ID verification procedures, reducing potential points of contact for passengers and modernising checkpoint screening procedures.
Fraud Detection
Biometric technology enhances the ability to detect fraudulent documents and visa overstays. Digital IDs, such as mobile driver's licenses, are more secure than physical credentials, which can be counterfeited or falsified. This technology ensures that only the right people have access to the right transportation infrastructure areas at the right time.
Positive Traveller Response
The implementation of biometric entry systems has received an overwhelmingly positive response from travellers. This technology provides a faster and safer travel experience, with new airport partners coming on board each month.
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History of biometric entry systems
The history of biometric entry systems at airports dates back to the early 2000s. In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the U.S. government authorized the use of an automated system to record the arrivals and departures of visitors at all air, sea, and land ports of entry. This led to the implementation of biometric technology, such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, at airports worldwide.
Over the years, the use of biometric technology at airports has evolved and expanded. In 2019, Calgary Airport, in partnership with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), introduced facial imaging cameras, biometric fingerprint readers, and custom software to streamline the travel experience and enhance security. This initiative aimed to speed up international traveller processing by up to 50%U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been at the forefront of biometric technology integration. They have successfully implemented facial biometrics into the entry processes at all international airports and exit processes at numerous airport locations. As of 2023, CBP has utilized Biometric Facial Comparison Technology at 238 airports, including preclearance and international departure locations. This technology enhances security, streamlines entry procedures, and improves the overall travel experience.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has also played a significant role in advancing biometric technology at airports. They have conducted extensive testing and evaluation of various systems, including CAT-2 units and the Traveler Verification Service. TSA aims to enhance security, improve efficiency, and provide a more seamless travel experience for passengers. TSA's exploration of biometric solutions involves rigorous scientific study and collaboration with multiple stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of this technology.
Biometric technology offers a unique and secure form of identification, making it extremely difficult to falsify. It provides a contactless method of identity verification, reducing physical contact between travellers and TSA agents. The rapid adoption of biometric systems by airports worldwide underscores the technology's effectiveness in intensifying security and expediting passenger processing, shaping a new era of air travel security and convenience.
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Privacy concerns
The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) has emphasised that individuals should have maximum control over their biometric data. They have stated that the processing of such data can create significant risks for individuals, including the possibility of false negatives, bias, and discrimination. The misuse of biometric data could also lead to grave consequences such as identity fraud or impersonation. The EDPB has urged airport operators and airline companies to prioritise less intrusive methods of streamlining passenger flows, and to only process the data of passengers who actively enrol and consent to participate.
In the United States, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have implemented biometric technologies at various airports, including Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). To address privacy concerns, the TSA has developed Privacy Impact Assessments, which outline how they identify and mitigate privacy risks, as well as how they notify the public about what personally identifiable information is being collected and how it is handled.
Additionally, the use of digital IDs, such as mobile driver's licenses, is being explored as a more secure and private alternative to physical credentials, as they reduce the points of contact and allow passengers to share only the information necessary for identity verification.
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Future of biometric entry systems
Biometric entry systems are already in place in airports around the world, with 238 airports using Biometric Facial Comparison Technology in the air entry environment, including 49 locations for international departures. This technology has been implemented by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Biometric technology will continue to see major acceleration in the travel industry. Airports globally will begin implementing biometric face scans at check-in kiosks, self-bag drop machines, and e-gates. This will improve security and enhance the user experience by reducing wait times and creating a seamless passage between concourses.
Biometric technology has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased the need for touchless solutions to mitigate infection rates. Biometric systems also improve security, with face-based biometrics being more accurate, faster, less obtrusive, more efficient, and less biased than human verification.
A multi-modal approach to biometric identification is also being adopted, integrating different biometric measures such as fingerprint and iris scans to bolster security infrastructure and further enhance identity verification processes. This approach can mitigate the risk of identity fraud and improve the accuracy of security screenings.
The use of biometric technology does raise concerns about data collection and human rights, and effective regulation and transparency are crucial to addressing these issues. However, with no alternative technology currently able to match the safety capabilities of biometrics, it is likely that airports will continue to implement this technology to stay ahead of the curve.
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Frequently asked questions
Biometric entry systems use facial recognition technology to identify travellers. This technology matches a live image of the passenger with an existing photo on their travel documents.
Many airports around the world use biometric entry systems. Some examples include Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, and Dublin Airport.
Biometric technology streamlines the boarding process, leading to reduced boarding times and improved security. It also provides a contactless way of identity verification, which can enhance the safety of passengers.
Privacy advocates have raised concerns about the use of biometric data at airports, particularly regarding the collection and protection of personal information. Other challenges include technical glitches, stakeholder support, and infrastructure issues.
