SJC Becomes First West Coast Airport in CBP’s Biometric Border Program

The Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) has become the latest in the country to partner with the US Customs and Border Protection agency on biometric border control based on facial recognition technology.

The collaboration actually started several weeks ago, with SJC implementing a face scanning system for arriving international travelers on June 25th. Going forward, the airport’s management say that they will roll out the system to departing travelers as well, with face scanning systems to be implemented at seven gates this autumn.

In announcing the project, San José Mayor Sam Liccardo emphasized the benefits that biometric screening will bring to travelers and airport administrators. “The use of biometrics technology will help cut down wait times and enhance the overall experience of our international travelers, especially as we continue to see unprecedented growth at SJC,” he said.

The airport has seen a dramatic rise in international arrivals in recent years, with the number of such travelers jumping from just under 200,000 in 2015 to 438,800 last year.

Of course, for the CBP, the key focus in biometric airport screening is security. The organization has now implemented facial recognition systems at a number of airports across the country, with SJC being its first partner on the west coast.

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August 8, 2018 – by Alex Perala