Lyon Airport Awards Contract for Biometric Passenger Processing

Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport is looking for new biometric technology solutions to streamline passenger flow in anticipation of the European Union’s upcoming Entry/Exit System (EES). Its effort, detailed in a recent tender awarded to the service provider CITY ONE, includes the deployment of automated systems to manage passenger entry and exit, using biometric verification to enhance both security and operational efficiency.

The awarded contract is part of a broader effort by Aéroports de Lyon to meet the stringent new requirements set by the EES, which will introduce mandatory biometric controls for non-EU nationals entering and exiting the Schengen Area.

The EES, a digital border management system developed by the EU, will replace traditional passport stamps with electronic records, combining biometric verification (including facial and fingerprint recognition) with automated data entry. The system is designed to register the identity and travel details of non-EU citizens as they cross Schengen borders, facilitating enhanced security and reducing wait times for travelers. Lyon-Saint Exupéry’s tender, particularly in its focus on managing passenger flow, is intended to integrate biometric technology to align with these regulatory standards.

In LOT 1 of the tender, valued at over €13 million, CITY ONE is tasked with deploying and managing these flow management systems, expected to include biometric verification checkpoints and automated queuing solutions.

Although the EES was originally scheduled for deployment in 2022, it has faced several delays, mainly due to logistical and technical challenges across EU member states. However, with the new launch date anticipated soon, airports like Lyon-Saint Exupéry are under pressure to implement compliant infrastructure.

Lyon-Saint Exupéry’s chosen biometric systems, which could likely involve technologies similar to France’s PARAFE (automated biometric border gates) system, will help ensure that the airport can swiftly process the increased biometric data entry that will accompany EES implementation. PARAFE gates, already widely used across France, leverage facial and fingerprint recognition to expedite border checks and reduce wait times.

In addition to enhancing security, the integration of biometric solutions at Lyon-Saint Exupéry is expected to yield significant operational benefits, reducing congestion and improving the overall passenger experience. According to the terms of the tender, CITY ONE is also responsible for managing and reporting on these processes, which includes ensuring high service standards, team readiness, and environmental compliance.

Source: TED

–

October 30, 2024 – by Cass Kennedy