Frankfurt Airport has taken a significant step towards potentially eliminating long queues at airport check-in counters. In an announcement made on October 26, airport authorities revealed that they are extending the availability of their biometric facial recognition system to all passengers.
Previously, the system was exclusively for passengers flying on Lufthansa aircraft and airlines affiliated with Star Alliance, which includes carriers like United, Air China and Air India.
How will the biometric system help save time at Frankfurt Airport?
Upon arriving at the airport, passengers’ faces are scanned at various checkpoints, eliminating the need to repeatedly present their tickets, boarding passes and identification documents at each stop.
According to a report in The Local, more than 12,000 passengers are already using this technology at check-in, boarding pass control and boarding gates throughout the airport. With this new facility for all flyers, Frankfurt Airport becomes the first in Europe to offer this biometric service to customers of all airlines. However, pre-registration is required to use this system.
Talking about the upgrade, Pierre Dominique Prümm, Fraport Executive Board member responsible for infrastructure, said, “Our goal is to equip at least 50 percent of all check-in machines, boarding pass control, and departure gates with this groundbreaking technology in the next few months.”
The airport uses SITA’s Smart Path biometric solution, powered by NEC, to recognise passengers’ facial characteristics and facilitate a smooth process. While this technology is also available at other German airports, only Lufthansa and Star Alliance flyers can currently take advantage of it.
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For those who prefer traditional boarding methods or are not comfortable with technology, conventional identification procedures will still be available. However, SITA reports that 75 percent of travellers prefer this time-saving technology, as noted by The Local. Additionally, to address privacy concerns, all biometric data will be deleted three hours after the departure time, according to the report.
Hero and feature image (representative) credit: 1000 Words/Shutterstock)
Related: You Don’t Need A Boarding Pass At These Airports Around The World, Just Your Face
Written By
Anushka Goel
Anushka has previously worked with publications such as the Times of India and Being Indian. A graduate from Xavier Institute of Communications, she specialises in entertainment, food and travel. She also likes to write about sustainability and beauty. When not working, you can catch her reading a book, tending to her plants, cooking or playing an instrument.
