First installed for trial in Los Angeles International Airport last November, the airline is now expanding its biometric identification gates to three major airports in the US: JFK (New York), MIA (Miami), and MCO (Orlando). The “e-gates” use facial recognition to verify passengers’ identification, but passengers are still required to present their passports and boarding passes to security.
The self-service gates use technology via HD cameras similar to that of smartphones to identify and match passengers to their required documents. The airline invested £4.5 billion into the program and has partnered up with IT company SITA in developing the technology used.
In a press release in their media website, British Airways says that security is their utmost priority, and that they have been “working closely in partnership with US Customs and Border Protection to ensure strict adherence to privacy rules and regulations,” In their initial trial at LAX, they claim to have admitted 400 passengers in only 22 minutes.
Other air transit entities have also been investing in these efficient boarding gates, such as JetBlue, Delta and even Dubai International Airport.
