Chennai Airport to Launch Biometric Immigration System in 2025, Cutting Processing Time by 60%

Chennai Airport is implementing a new biometric immigration clearance system in January 2025 that will significantly reduce processing times for international travelers. The system will use e-gates equipped with biometric authentication technology to automate and streamline the immigration verification process, following similar successful deployments at major airports worldwide.

The new system requires passengers to scan their boarding passes at automated e-gates, followed by biometric authentication using facial recognition technology that complies with ICAO 9303 standards. The technological upgrade is expected to reduce immigration clearance time from the current 25 seconds to approximately 10 seconds per passenger.

The e-gates feature advanced scanning capabilities for both travel documents and biometric data, minimizing the need for manual processing by immigration officers. The automation aims to reduce congestion and waiting times at immigration checkpoints while maintaining security standards through multi-factor authentication protocols.

The implementation follows the success of similar systems in India, particularly the Digi Yatra platform, which has already processed over 9 million users across Indian airports. Chennai Airport’s new system will integrate with existing international border control databases and security protocols while incorporating lessons learned from deployments at other major aviation hubs.

The modernization project matches the global aviation industry’s movement toward contactless passenger processing, as demonstrated by recent implementations by Vision-Box in Indonesia and Collins Aerospace in Las Vegas. The technology is designed to handle increased passenger volumes while maintaining strict security protocols through automated verification of travelers’ identities, representing a significant upgrade to Chennai Airport’s existing immigration infrastructure.

The system will also support future integration with international initiatives like IATA’s One ID program, which aims to create a seamless, paperless travel experience through standardized biometric authentication across global aviation networks.

Sources: DTNext, Travel and Leisure Asia, NewsData.io

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January 01, 2025 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team