Even before COVID-19 struck, the introduction of paperless passenger management at the airports had been doing the talks. Now, given the basic idea of social distancing and contactless management to prevent the spread of the virus, its application seems to be the need of the hour.

Along with considering it as a virus-control measure, paperless passenger management can prove to be a solution for simplifying chaotic airport operations including security, check-in, baggage drop-off, boarding, etc.

e-Passports & Biometrics

Starting with the inception of electronic passports can play the first and crucial step in this direction, thereby, enabling high-control security and automating operations. Further, with the implementation of biometric face-recognition technology and self-service terminals, passengers can be identified on the go in a seamless manner. It can save time and ease the processes in the following areas:

• Check-in: Analysing the e-passport data and reading biometrics from the face recognition camera would verify the details of the passenger and generate a digital boarding pass. This would further prevent any spoofing.

• Baggage Drop: After identifying the passenger through biometrics, the generated digital boarding pass would only allow the actual owner of it to drop the luggage.

• Security Check: The above identification processes would digitally integrate the details of the passenger at the automated security check-point and there will be no requirement to manually show the boarding pass.

• Boarding: All of this information acquired in the above processes would be stored in a temporary database which would be deleted automatically within 24-hours or upon the real-time departure. It would largely depend on the data exchange regulations and privacy laws of the different countries. In a case where the countries share data legally, this would allow the transfer of passenger data at the arrival airport and would further automate operations pertaining to immigration.

How it will be helpful?

Using biometrics to go through the different check-points would make airports a comfortable and more attractive space for both the passengers as well as the airports and airlines.

For Passengers

• While saving a lot of time by the reduction of queuing time, the passengers can also be assured of the implementation of maximum security measures.
• Seamless transition during multiple port journeys.
• Easy management for frequent flyers

For Airports & Airlines

• Higher grade of automation
• Efficient use of resources
• Reduction in costs
• Higher potential to assess risk
• Better management and implementation of compliance

In order to implement paperless passenger management, it is imperative to initiate the processing of e-passports and biometric checks first. Phase-wise implementation will help many airports to achieve their long terms goals especially the new airports that have recently invested heavily in their infrastructure.

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