Biometrics in Air Travel

The surge in biometric technology, particularly facial recognition, within the aviation sector is poised to redefine the passenger experience at airports across the world. In this round up, we take a look at a range of automated border control initiatives from across the globe.

Starting with the US, we find that while the technology is being used by several nations to bolster their plans to become regional transport hubs, concerns persist about how personally identifiable data is captured, processed and stored.

The US

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is leading the programme to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of identity verification at airports in the US.

One of the most notable achievements of the TSA in 2023 was the screening of over 858 million passengers, setting a record for its aviation security. This, coupled with the screening of 484 million checked bags and 1.9 billion carry-on items, underscores the agency’s reliance on new technology.