While there are misconceptions, and some valid concerns, related to data privacy in the use of biometrics in passenger processing, the reality is that these innovations are helping to streamline the passenger experience through the automation of the identification process – and will continue to rise in importance.
While companies like Collins Aerospace have launched its SelfPass biometric solution, many in the industry mistakenly believe that the technology that is being “pushed” on travelers. Instead, biometrics automates the identity validation process that is currently a manual processes for many airlines.
These will be some of the key themes of the Future Travel Experience Global 2019 conference, which will take place at the ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on September 4th to 6th.
Tony Chapman, Senior Director, Marketing, Product Management and Strategy at Collins Aerospace, will be participating in a panel titled, “Leaders Debate – Can new technology and alliances between airports and airlines revolutionize operational performance, and be the driving force behind operating model transformations?” The panel is taking place on September 5th at 11 a.m.
Tony also offered these insights about biometrics in a recent Future Travel Experience article, where he highlighted integration and security as two key biometric adoption challenges.
“To fully maximize the benefits of this technology, it should be available to all passengers, travelling on all airlines, to all destinations. But to offer such a solution requires an enormous amount of experience of integrating with multiple airline systems and government databases. What’s the point in offering biometric identification at bag drop and the departure gate if passengers still have to present their passports and wait in a line at security, for example?” he explained in the article.
When it comes to passenger data compliance and security, he added, “Not only must any solution ensure with complete accuracy that each passenger is who they claim to be, but compliance with global data protection legislation must be built into its design from the start. The implications for airport, airline and passenger are far too important to get this wrong.”
Overcoming any misconceptions, along with data security and compliance issues – while fostering alliances between many industry players — will help to bring the vision of biometrics further to life in the aviation arena.
By bringing together a wide-range of aviation industry experts, airport and airline operators, vendors, government leaders in Las Vegas, the Future of Travel Experience Global 2019 is playing a key role in fostering discussions that will make biometrics a truly operational-enhancing tool for airports and airlines.
