One of the most critical security points that the public is accessing on a 24 hour basis is also the one demanding more convenience. Airports require the most security screening that the average civilian will ever have to experience, and it is not only inconveniently long and unpredictable, it is also an inefficient process. Thankfully, biometrics are being applied in this area more than ever before and soon complaints about needing to take off your shoes at the airport will be a thing of the past.
Today, Vancouver Airport Authority (YVR) announced an upgrade to its BorderXpress kiosks: the automated border control stations now feature the latest biometric technology from Cross Match Technologies. This will enable international travellers that have Electronic System for Travel Authorization approval to use the border control kiosks: a privilege that was previously reserved solely for Canadian and US passport holders.
With this announcement, the list of countries eligible to experience the convenience of BorderXpress has skyrocketed from two to 38 countries. This includes Australia, Japan, Germany and the United Kingdom.
“Our goal is, and has always been, to lead the transformation of the travel experience,” said Craig Richmond, President & CEO of Vancouver Airport Authority. “By expanding our Automated Passport Control capabilities to include travelers from visa-waiver countries, we are continuing to help airports modernize for improved efficiency and customer satisfaction.”
The newly upgraded automated passport control kiosks are available to use at both Vancouver International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
Rosemarie S. Andolino, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation stated the collective gratitude of everyone involved: “On behalf of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, I want to thank CBP, Vancouver International Airport and our airline partners for working with us to expand APC technology at our global gateway, O’Hare International Airport. The expansion of this technology helps create a faster, more streamlined CBP process for everyone who arrives in Chicago. With industry-leading initiatives such as APC and 1-Stop, as well as expected increases in CBP staffing, Chicago is positioned to offer the best, most welcoming travel experience for international passengers arriving to the United States. This is an important step in helping to reach Mayor Emanuel’s goal to reach 55 million annual visitors to Chicago by 2020.”
North America isn’t the only region embracing the convenience and security of automated border control solutions. As was explored in the most recent findBIOMETRICS webinar, Europe is set to dominate the global market as it booms over the next five years.
Border control is a type of biometric physical access management. To learn more about this diverse area of application, check out our primer on the topic, published as part of the recently concluded Physical Access Control Month.
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May 9, 2014 – by Peter B. Counter
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