Amadeus Partners with Norwegian Airport Operator on Biometric Upgrades

Amadeus, a global aviation technology provider, has partnered with Avinor, Norway’s state-owned airport operator, to implement biometric solutions across 43 Norwegian airports. The collaboration aims to transform the passenger experience by integrating biometric authentication into various stages of air travel, including check-in, lounge access, and boarding.

Once passengers have their biometric data enrolled, they can move through airport checkpoints without repeatedly presenting physical identification documents. The system verifies their identity using facial recognition, enhancing security while providing a seamless journey. This aims to not only improve operational efficiency, but also to allow airport staff to focus on assisting passengers in other ways.

Under the agreement, Avinor will also upgrade its airports with Amadeus’ Cloud Use Service (ACUS) and deploy self-service check-in kiosks equipped with biometric capabilities. Staff will use mobile devices like tablets and smartphones to assist passengers, allowing them to scan passports and capture biometric data—such as facial recognition—from any location within the airport terminal. This approach eliminates the need for traditional fixed check-in desks and reduces manual document verification, thereby decreasing wait times and streamlining passenger flow.

For smaller regional airports operated by Avinor, the implementation of portable biometric devices looks to offer a cost-effective alternative to expensive infrastructure like fixed check-in counters and flight information display units.

In addition to biometric enhancements, Avinor will adopt Amadeus Airport Insights, a data and analytics platform that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning. The platform will monitor passenger movements and terminal touchpoints, providing predictive analytics to identify bottlenecks and optimize resource allocation.

“Our airline customers and travelers expect a modern airport experience with minimal queuing and efficient service,” said Simen Bergsrud, Head of Digital Services at Avinor. “Technology is advancing quickly, and we envisage a future with less terminal hardware and a much more flexible approach to serving passengers.”

Yann Guillemain, Senior Vice President of Airport & Airline Operations at Amadeus, added that the collaboration will allow them to “conceive entirely new ways to serve passengers” through co-development efforts.

Source: Regional Gateway, Airport World

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September 28, 2024 – by Tony Bitzionis