Imagine boarding a flight without needing to show your passport, ID, or ticket at the airport. By 2025, this could become a reality at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport.
Known for its advanced technology, the airport has received praise from Elon Musk, who remarked that the US needs to catch up. The airport is now introducing its Smart Travel Project, which will deploy biometric sensors at all key identification points—check-in counters, immigration booths, duty-free areas, airline lounges, and boarding gates.
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These biometric sensors use facial or iris recognition to verify passengers’ identities and travel statuses, eliminating the need for physical documents. While some of this technology is already in use with Etihad flights, the new system’s goal is to cover the entire passenger experience.
Andrew Murphy, the airport’s chief information officer, highlights that the system requires no pre-enrollment; passengers are automatically recognized as they move through the airport, significantly speeding up the process.
Biometric data from the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) is used to authenticate passengers, making the experience seamless for everyone.
Murphy reports that the system has already improved efficiency, with passengers moving from curbside to their gates in under 15 minutes. This is especially impressive given the airport’s capacity to handle 45 million passengers.
In an October 2023 survey by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), 75% of passengers preferred using biometric data over traditional paper passports and boarding passes. For the remaining 25% who might be uncomfortable with the technology or prefer human interaction, Andrew Murphy assures that traditional verification methods will still be available.
International policymakers support offering passengers a choice between biometric and traditional methods, especially for those less accustomed to airports. Louise Cole, IATA’s head of customer experience and facilitation, emphasizes that personal preference for human interaction is important, particularly for infrequent travelers.
For families traveling with young children, paperwork verification remains necessary, as biometric systems are generally applied to individuals aged 12 and above due to rapid changes in children’s facial features. Additionally, compliance with global travel regulations may require ensuring that children are accompanied by the appropriate caregiver.
World Competition
Airports worldwide are increasingly moving from paper-based systems to biometric technologies. According to IATA’s October 2023 report, 46% of respondents have used biometric technology at airports, but no airport is fully passport-free yet.
Louise Cole notes that the industry is slow to fully adopt a contactless biometric experience due to the repetitive nature of identity verification processes. However, significant advancements are being made globally.
Singapore’s Changi Airport is a pioneer in this area, collaborating with its immigration authority to introduce a progressive biometric clearance system for both residents and tourists starting this month. Similarly, Hong Kong International, Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, and Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International airports have also deployed biometric terminals at various transit points.
Middle Eastern and Asia-Pacific airports are leading the way in biometric integration, according to Cole. European airports are also advancing, with a recent IATA and British Airways trial demonstrating a fully digital identity flight from Heathrow to Rome Fiumicino, using a digital wallet for passport, visa, and e-ticket verification via biometric recognition.
In the US, Customs and Border Protection has installed biometric technology at all 96 international airports, with 53 also using it at departure points.
A unified, paperless solution for the entire world
For Louise Cole, aligning trials and technologies across airports is essential for efficiency and safety. She notes that a seamless customer experience at one airport could be undermined if the next airport uses a different system.
Cole emphasizes the importance of standardization and international collaboration. “Using a single digital identity across multiple airports and airlines improves overall customer experience while maintaining privacy and data security.”
As airports like Abu Dhabi expand their biometric systems, they could set a new standard for document-free travel, influencing other airports to follow suit.
