South Africa's Airports Embark on Biometric Revolution

A project to bring a biometric upgrade to South Africa's airports has gotten underway and appears to be on track. Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) says its R100-million (€4.9m) biometric and e-gate project is progressing well, with a rollout expected within the next two years.

The update comes after ACSA awarded a digital transformation project to IDEMIA, a French company, to provide its Passenger Flow Facilitation (PFF) solution across nine South African airports. The airport operator is leveraging facial recognition technology to streamline immigration processes, reduce transaction times, and enhance security.

However, the initial pilot phase encountered some passenger reluctance due to anxiety and unfamiliarity with the new systems. To address the issue, ACSA has introduced comprehensive passenger education efforts, including a virtual tour platform on the ACSA app to familiarize travelers with the biometric system and provide travel recommendations.

ACSA will also implement OneID, a unique passenger identifier created through self-enrollment on the ACSA app, which uses facial recognition technology. The system is meant to automate various airport processes, from bag-drop and pre-security to immigration and boarding checks, enhancing efficiency and convenience for passengers. OneID also eliminates the need for physical documentation at certain touchpoints and allows passengers to track their baggage through the system.

The anticipated outcome is a more seamless travel experience with enhanced security by 2026. Globally, the travel market is expected to double from four billion passengers in 2019 to eight billion by 2040, highlighting the necessity for digital solutions to manage passenger check-ins at security and boarding gates efficiently. A recent white paper titled 'Face the Future' by airport and airline tech provider SITA anticipated that by 2026, over 50 percent of check-ins and baggage drops will use biometrics, with 70 percent of airlines expecting to have biometric ID management in place.

Information 

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) is a state-owned airport operator responsible for managing and operating South Africa's nine major airports.

IDEMIA is a French company that provides digital identity and security solutions.

SITA is a leading airport and airline tech provider that specializes in passenger processing and baggage handling systems.

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) is committed to enhancing the passenger experience through innovation and digital transformation. With its biometric upgrade, ACSA aims to provide a seamless and secure travel experience for its passengers."

Q: What is the goal of Airports Company South Africa's biometric upgrade?

A: The goal is to streamline immigration processes, reduce transaction times, and enhance security.

Q: What technology is being used for the biometric upgrade?

A: Facial recognition technology is being used for the biometric upgrade.

Q: What is OneID?

A: OneID is a unique passenger identifier created through self-enrollment on the ACSA app, which uses facial recognition technology.

Q: What is the expected outcome of the biometric upgrade?

A: The anticipated outcome is a more seamless travel experience with enhanced security by 2026.

Q: What is the global trend in airport biometrics?

A: According to a recent white paper, by 2026, over 50 percent of check-ins and baggage drops will use biometrics, with 70 percent of airlines expecting to have biometric ID management in place.