DOTr eyes biometrics to ease airport passenger processing

“Biometrics passenger processing will significantly make the Philippine airport experience more pleasant, more efficient,” Lim said. (PNA file photo by Cristina Arayata)

MANILA – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is looking at the possible adoption of biometrics in the country’s airports to speed up and ease the processing of passengers.

In a statement on Wednesday, Department of Transportation Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Sector Roberto Lim said biometrics can be adopted, from entering the airport to boarding.

“Biometrics passenger processing will significantly make the Philippine airport experience more pleasant, more efficient,” Lim said.

With a single token created from a biometric facial scan and embedded on a biometric ID such as a passport, a passenger can pass through the airport entrance, check-in, final boarding pass check to airside, and boarding.

To date, airport operators such as the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Davao International Airport Authority (DIAA) are looking into a pilot operation to adopt and implement the technology.

Last week, the Biometric Airport Passenger Processing Forum in Davao City featured talks from resource persons among the world leaders in biometrics airport processing technology such as Amadeus, Collins Aerospace, Idemia, SITA and VisionBox.

Forum participants include the Manila International Airport Authority, Clark International Airport Corporation, DIAA, CAAP with GMT-Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation and Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corporation representing the private sector.

Also present were representatives from major airlines Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, Philippine Air Asia, Bureau of Immigration and other ground handling companies.