Article from BTNews 2 APRIL 2018
BA's high-tech boarding
A new biometric boarding system at the departure gate has been introduced at Orlando International Airport (MCO) in Florida for passengers flying with British Airways to Gatwick.
The airline says it offers “a secure and seamless departure”, with a quick photograph all that is needed to board the international flight thanks to innovative technology and meaning passports and boarding cards are not necessary.
The system is a collaboration between global air transport IT provider SITA, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) and BA’s IT systems, integrated via US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with automated boarding gates to carry out the necessary checks and authorise boarding.
GOAA chief information officer John Newsome said: “This innovative boarding process is already proving popular with passengers. They simply look at the camera and within seconds the gate opens and they can board the flight.
“It is easy, fast and – most importantly – secure. While we are currently using SITA’s gates for biometric exit with British Airways, they are common-use boarding gates, so they can be easily used by other airlines at MCO.”
BA digital airport design manager Raoul Cooper said the system, which is optional for passengers, complemented a similar technology trial now under way at Los Angeles.
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