Sydney Airport is currently testing a new biometric technology. This allows passengers to be identified by their faces. The procedure is divided into four phases: check-in, baggage drop-off, lounge access and boarding. " In future, passengers will no longer have to juggle between their passport and their suitcase at check-in, or reach into their pocket or smartphone to show their boarding pass: your face will replace both. "said a delighted Geoff Culbert, CEO of Sydney Airport.
More convenient and, above all, faster
The Australian hub cooperates with Qantas Airways to experiment with this technology. " Airlines and airports must offer increasingly convenient and fast services "said Vanessa Hudsom, Customer Manager at Qantas. " Our customers will be able to check in using this technology, but our lounge staff will also have access to it to offer a personalised experience when passengers arrive. "added Vanessa Hudsom.
The risk of invasion of privacy
For the time being, this technology remains restricted to a few travellers who have agreed to this experiment. They still have to check in and check their baggage the old-fashioned way. If the Australian government still requires customs clearance, but this formality could be automatedand mobile check-ins. Biometric checks could represent a revolution in airports. The question of consent arises, however: how will the machine differentiate between travellers who agree to be tracked and those who want to remain anonymous on this system?
