JFK and Vision-Box roll out facial recognition boarding

New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport Terminal One Group and Vision-Box have signed a cooperation agreement to modernise passenger processing and roll out one of the largest biometric boarding airport platforms in the U.S.

Passengers will board without needing to show their passports or boarding passes. The upcoming transformation of the airport envisions the creation of modern facilities and infrastructure to accommodate significant growth, and to offer outstanding world-class experience to customers.

Terminal One is the home of 26 international carriers including Lufthansa, Air France, Japan Airlines, Korean Airlines and, which comprise the Terminal One Group Association (TOGA), terminal owners and leaders of the massive transformation programme.

JFK Airport and TOGA have taken a visionary approach to passenger experience, welcoming the adoption of a seamless biometric-based passenger management platform as a strategic long-term growth pillar. A self-service biometric boarding solution will be implemented in Terminal 1 to offer a more convenient, faster boarding process.

International travellers will be allowed to board their aircraft in just a few seconds using biometric eGates, which will recognise them by their face. The platform will match the live faces with previously enrolled and stored ones: No need to present a passport or boarding pass.

TOGA Executive Director, Steve Rowland, said: “Biometric self-boarding is one of our top priorities – improving the passenger experience and enhancing security and safety for all those who travel at JFK Terminal 1. We are proud to pilot this unique, paperless, biometric boarding process, and CBP and Vision-Box have been tremendous partners in this effort.”

After taking part in the Los Angeles Airport proof of concept, Lufthansa has reconfirmed their support to seamless travel. Having been instrumental in the cooperation process so far, the airline will be the first to use the technology at JFK Terminal One.

Miguel Leitmann, Vision-Box CEO, commented: “We believe JFK Terminal 1 is another leading example of delivery of a contactless travel solution able to modernise key aviation processes through our Orchestra™ platform. We empower airports to provide a seamless travel experience to their passengers and offer real value to their airline partners. Vision-Box is delivering to the U.S. government the data required to control a safe and secure border. Amsterdam, Bangalore, Dubai, London-Gatwick, Lisbon, Montevideo, Los Angeles, Sydney, and now JFK Terminal One are all supporting the “OneID” vision and are role models of our network of over 80 airport partners worldwide.”

Vision-Box Technology and Solutions Director for Americas, Igor Oliveira, added: “The new solution at JFK Airport will mean significant improvements in efficiency, capacity expansion, security and guest experience. This comprehensive solution includes self-boarding eGates, smart cameras and a secure orchestration platform that connects all assets, data and stakeholders to guarantee a seamless, frictionless process. We are grateful for the outstanding support by the partners of the initiative, namely the carriers. Travel will become as seamless and attractive as collaboration in the broader aviation ecosystem gets this active and prolific.”