Biometrics

Automated access at airport

by Mark Rowe

British Airways is becoming the first UK airline to introduce automated biometric access at an airport, by launching self-service boarding gates.

After a trial in June 2016, the first three boarding gates for UK domestic flights departing from Heathrow Terminal 5 are now open, and thousands of fliers have already used them. Travellers scan their own boarding pass when they arrive at the gate and then walk through to the aircraft.

A digital facial scan of the customer is recorded when they travel through security, and when they arrive at the gate, their face is matched with this representation when they present their boarding pass – allowing them to board the aircraft. British Airways says that its equipment is more advanced than alternative systems used by other airlines and airports.

Three more British Airways self-boarding gates will open at each domestic departure stand each week until mid-June, with a view to roll-out the scheme on international flights. British Airways has also opened self-service bag drop points at Gatwick and Heathrow, and later this year will introduce a more streamlined connections area at T5.

Troy Warfield, British Airways’ director of customer experience, said: “Our customers have told us that they want the ability to simplify and speed up their journeys through the airport. The addition of self-boarding gates, along with self-serve bag drop points, are just two of the ways in which we are investing in areas our customers value most.”​

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