Biometric access control has a range of applications. Airport is one of them. This article looks at how biometric access control solutions can help airports enhance security, operations and passenger experience.
Biometric access control has a range of applications. Airport is one of them. This article looks at how biometric access control solutions can help airports enhance security, operations and passenger experience.
In access control, authentication of individuals can be achieved by one of the three primary factors – what you have, what you know and what you are. Biometrics represent the what you are factor, identifying individuals with their unique biological traits such as fingerprint or facial features. Biometric access control has use cases in a number of vertical markets. These include airports.
“Biometrics adds a whole new layer of security in airports by making identity verification far more reliable. Instead of relying on traditional methods like ID cards or PIN codes that can be stolen or forgotten, biometrics uses physical traits – like your face, fingerprints, iris – which are unique to each person and difficult to replicate or forge,” said Alex Tan, Regional Sales Head for ASEAN at IDEMIA.
“With biometrics authentication, only authorized individuals can gain access to restricted zones in airports like baggage handling or boarding areas, and it minimizes risks associated with lost or stolen credentials as well,” Tan adds. “It’s all about ensuring that the right people are in the right places at the right times, which is crucial in high-security environments like airports.”
Facial recognition leads the pack
So which biometric is most used in airports nowadays? According to Tan, facial recognition has become the “go-to” biometric technology in most airports.
“It’s fast, convenient, and doesn’t require physical contact, which is especially important in today’s modern world. You’ll see it being used everywhere – from automated check-in kiosks to boarding gates to restricted sensitive areas,” Tan said. “Fingerprints are still widely used in certain access control points, particularly for staff access to secure zones. While fingerprint scanning is reliable, the ease and speed of facial recognition make it more practical for handling large passenger and staff throughput, making facial recognition taking the lead.”
Tan also notes that contactless fingerprint is fast catching on as a top choice for secure authentication, as it provides great user and modern experience of ultra-high accuracy, speed and convenience.
Going multimodal
Increasingly, airports are implementing multimodal biometric solutions, which use a combination of biometrics – finger and face, for example – to authenticate users. This not only increases security but also enhances the user experience.
“Singapore Changi Airport as well as airports in Australia have automated clearance systems that incorporate facial and iris recognition. These technologies enhance accuracy, security, and accessibility, resulting in entrance access management and seamless passenger processing,” Tan said. “These examples show how multimodal biometrics is not just about tighter security – it’s also about making the process easier for both passengers as well building owners and tenants.”
Beyond security
Biometric applications in airports can go beyond security. Operations and passenger experience can benefit as well.
“In access control, biometric solutions also enhance both workforce and workflow management, allowing airport operators to control, monitor and optimize employee access to secure areas and computer portals, ensuring both compliance, productivity and overall physical and logical security posture,” Tan said. “For passengers, biometric-enabled systems create a ‘touchless and frictionless travel’ experience, from check-in to boarding, enhancing convenience and minimizing physical interactions – a priority in today’s customer preference. Airports benefit from improved resource allocation, with fewer personnel required at security checkpoints and reduced wait times boosting customer satisfaction.”
Addressing privacy concerns
Inevitably, biometrics adoption in airports triggers privacy concerns, as travelers express worries that their biometric data may be leaked or misused. This has caused some government authorities to tighten regulations on biometrics usage in airports. An
article in the International Airport Review, for example, cites the US Traveler Privacy Protection Act, which, if passed, would prohibit the use of facial recognition in airports. The article argues that the benefits of using biometrics outweigh their risks, and that the goal should be to deploy biometrics, including facial recognition, responsibly.
Tan agrees with this notion and identifies certain key measures to protect data in airport biometric applications. The measures are summarized as follows:
• Data encryption: Ensuring all biometric data is encrypted during storage and transmission to prevent unauthorized access.
• Privacy-by-design: Embedding privacy safeguards in the design of biometric access control systems.
• Data minimization: Storing biometric data for the shortest period necessary to reduce risks of breaches.
• Consent management: Informing users about the use of biometrics and obtaining their explicit consent.
“At IDEMIA, we focus on delivering secure, privacy-centric biometric solutions that align with global standards, empowering technology partners and airport operators to provide seamless access control while safeguarding user privacy,” Tan said.