The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) Board voted on April 25 to make the airport the first in the US to fully deploy the US Customs & Border Protection Biometric Entry and Exit Program.
The decision will see US$4m invested integrating facial recognition technology into the passenger processing system to facilitate the arrival and departure of all international travellers.
Orlando International Airport has tested the systems over the past several months in conjunction with US Customs. Passengers boarding British Airways flights to the UK were used in the trial. The system accelerated passenger processing with the BA flights boarding in less than 15 minutes, while eliminating the need for passengers to handle boarding passes and passports at the time of boarding. Testing on the system for arriving passengers proved equally efficient at reducing processing delays.
“Customer satisfaction is always our top priority and the goal of the board is to make the journey through Orlando International Airport as enjoyable as possible,” says Frank Kruppenbacher, Chairman of the GOAA. “This programme will benefit our more than six million annual international passengers by delivering a simpler travel process.”
The system will be implemented at all gates in 30 Orlando airport, with international departures and CBP checkpoints located in the airport’s two federal inspection stations.
“With a faster and more secure clearance process, airlines, airports, and travellers will benefit from shorter processing times and standardised arrival procedures,” said Phil Brown, GOAA Chief Executive Officer. “Identity verification through biometric technology complements our long-term vision for safe, secure and seamless travel from curb to gate.”
