Biometrics: The safest and fastest means of identification

What are the main advantages of using biometrics for passenger processing?

Biometrics are the only way of guaranteeing that a traveller is the person they claim to be without interrupting the continuous fl ow of passengers in and out of airports.

According to ICAO, in 2018 alone, 4.3 billion travellers were transported. This number has been steadily increasing for years and is set to double by 2030. This means that instead of trying to expand infrastructure and resources, we need to change the way we process passengers. Biometrics and passenger identity management address this need. The advantages are manifold:

For passengers, biometrics:

• Support a faster passenger-processing experience, which makes the airport journey more pleasant and stress-free 
• Reduce bottlenecks and minimise queuing, leaving more time to enjoy a cup of coffee, duty-free or the airline lounge.

For airlines/airlines alliances/ airports, biometrics: 

• Offer a quick and secure identification of passengers
• Improve the use of existing infrastructure to improve on-time performance (OTP)
• Improve customer satisfaction and quality rank (ASQ ranking or Skytrax).

Above all, it is the safest and fastest means of identification. Whether it be fingerprints, iris or biometric facial recognition, only you can be you!

How do you believe biometric technology will develop in the future?

Overall, biometric technology is reliable, but there is still a development focus on facial recognition. Accuracy levels regarding fingerprints and iris are very high for large populations, however, facial recognition performance has not yet been optimised. Having said that, IDEMIA’s False Acceptance Rate (FAR) is currently one of the lowest. Airports also need biometric systems which are fully gender, age, diversity and spoof proof, especially as we can now start the check-in process from home. We even have a full range of walkthrough capture devices that deliver the best non-invasive experience for both travellers and our customers.

Are there security risks that have to be considered when implementing biometric technology?

Biometrics is the basis of our identity. It is physically who we are. Therefore, the data and the surrounding process have to be treated with the utmost care and attention.

At IDEMIA, our solution for biometric passenger processing is fully GDPR compliant. The core privacy-by-design principles are based on encryption. We regularly help our customers with privacy impact assessments, which is key for any project to address the risks and the legal framework for processing personal data.

Airports and airlines have gone beyond the traditional approach, by developing a Passenger ID platform to manage single-token processes through touchpoints. This is a solution where your face is your boarding pass, ensuring the passenger remains in control of their own data at all times.

As long as the framework and the rules, which are set up to protect citizens, are followed, the use of biometrics can only provide a better and smoother airport experience.