Iberia has begun a biometric facial recognition trial at Madrid airport, in partnership with Spain’s airports authority, IT company Inetum, and biometric technologies provider Thales.
The pilot project includes the use of “tablet-type mobile equipment”, which the carrier says will enable a limited number of units to cover a large number of flights to different destinations.
Iberia also says that the technology “boasts improved detection capabilities, making it possible to identify passengers even when they are wearing face masks”.
The airline said that the aim of the initiative was to improve the airport experience “by streamlining the entire process and eliminating all physical contact”.
The organisations have formed a consortium, supported by Spain’s industrial technology development agency CDTI, to investigate “new ways to operate in the air travel industry with the new health measures imposed since the Covid-19 outbreak”.
Covid-19 has given the biometric technology a new focus at airports, enabling a reduction in human interaction at check-in and immigration.
Last year Emirates launched an integrated ‘biometric path’ at Dubai International, enabling customers to experience a contactless travel journey through the airport, while fellow Gulf carrier recently partnered with information technology company SITA to trial the use of facial biometrics for cabin crew check-in.
