Gatwick high-tech bag drop

The UK’s first trial of end-to-end biometrics – where personal data collected at an airport’s self-service bag drops will be recognised by new automated self-boarding gates – is under way at Gatwick.

The airport says the project, being run in partnership with easyJet, Gatwick’s biggest airline, simplifies and accelerates the check-in process for passengers and reduces the risk of human error.

The new self-boarding technology is able to identify each passenger and verify his or her passport, face and boarding card all match in a process that takes less than 20sec.

Passengers wishing to take part in the trial but who are travelling without luggage and do not need to use self-service bag drop, can have their data collected at the entrance to the boarding gate room.

Gatwick says the trial is the first and most extensive of its kind in the UK and will run for at least three months so that around 10,000 passengers take part on the 43 routes the airport serves.

Chief operating officer Chris Woodroofe said: “Gatwick prides itself on providing innovative solutions to enhance the passenger experience. With our growth rate, it is essential we find more efficient ways of processing passengers safely and securely.”

www.gatwickairport.com

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