Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK A new collaboration between key aviation and technology industry bodies is calling on EU institutions to ensure that new European digital regulations do not restrict passengers' voluntary use of biometric technologies at airports.
The coalition, Responsible Biometrics Travel Industry Coalition, was established by ACI EUROPE, Amadeus, IATA, IDEMIA Public Security and SITA. The companies are asking decision-makers in the EU to consider, within the framework of the Digital Omnibus, a move designed to simplify digital rules in Europe, the possibilities offered by the use of biometrics in travel processes.
According to the organizations, biometric identification could allow passengers to move between different stages of the airport, while reducing the need to repeatedly show a passport or boarding pass. This, it claims, can increase the rate of passenger processing, improve passenger flow in terminals and make more efficient use of existing infrastructure.
The use of technology could be particularly significant during peak times, when airport traffic increases and staff are required to handle large volumes of passengers in short periods of time. The coalition notes that automated processes can allow staff to focus on passengers who need assistance or additional screening.
However, the organizations emphasize that the use of biometrics must remain voluntary. As part of the published statement, the call is to allow passengers to choose whether to share their biometric data, offer a non-biometric alternative and allow passengers to request the deletion of their information at any time.
The coalition of organizations also seeks to establish technologically neutral rules that will allow the use of biometric solutions when appropriate privacy and information security protection measures are in place.
According to data presented by IATA, 74% of passengers who participated in the Global Passenger Survey said they would be willing to share biometric data instead of showing a passport or boarding pass.
The coalition calls for increased legal clarity around the use of biometric data in Europe, while continuing to protect privacy, fundamental rights and passenger choice. It says cooperation between airlines, airports, technology companies and authorities will be essential to enable the technology to be used more widely without compromising existing passenger protections.