British Airways has launched a project that will allow travelers to transit through London’s Heathrow Airport without the need to show their passports.
The British airline claims to be the first British airline to test the use of biometric technology for international flights.
A six-month trial will be conducted for selected passengers flying from Heathrow’s Terminal 5 to Malaga in Spain, British Airways explained.
Check-in customers will be asked to scan their face, passport and boarding pass on their smartphone or tablet before traveling. At the airport, the Smart Bio-Pad camera verifies a passenger’s identity in less than three seconds, without the need to show a passport.
This action still does not exempt passengers from carrying their passports, because the technology used is only valid at Heathrow and passengers still have to show their passports at their destination.
“It is a safe and efficient tool that makes the airport experience smarter and smoother, which reduces the time we need to board the plane.” comments David Breeze, Operations Transformation Manager at British Airways.
If the trials are successful, the airline intends to roll out the technology to more international flights.
“Not only is this the first time our customers can register their biometric information at home, but it’s also the first time they can use it on British Airways international flights.” said Breeze about the last test.
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