Thailand to Launch Biometric Airport Upgrade

Thailand will launch an automated biometric identification system at six of its international airports this year as part of an initiative to improve passenger identification efficiency and reduce wait times. The system will be implemented by Airports of Thailand (AOT), and will use facial recognition technology to verify passenger identities.

Domestic travelers will be the first to access the system on November 1, 2024, followed by international travelers in December. According to AOT President Kerati Kijmanawat, the system is intended to streamline identification processes and make travel more efficient.

The new biometric system will be available at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai, Phuket, and Hat Yai airports. Designed to allow a seamless progression from check-in to boarding, the system requires passengers to provide consent for their biometric data to be used. This data will be linked with passengers’ travel itineraries, enabling them to proceed through checkpoints without repeatedly showing physical identification or boarding passes.

“The system, which has been thoroughly developed and tested, will reduce wait times at service points throughout AOT’s six airports,” Kerati stated.

AOT has integrated this system with its Common Use Passenger Processing System (CUPPS), which connects five systems across the AOT airport network, each equipped for biometric operations. This infrastructure aims to create a cohesive and efficient identification process. AOT intends this integration to reduce processing times, allowing passengers more time for other activities within the airport, such as shopping or dining.

For the fiscal year ending in September 2024, AOT recorded over 119.29 million passengers across its six airports, a 19.22 percent increase from the previous year. This included 72.67 million international passengers and 46.62 million domestic passengers. AOT projects that passenger numbers could exceed 120 million in the current fiscal year and may reach 130 million by 2025.

With the anticipated increase in passenger volume, AOT aims to manage growing demands while maintaining operational efficiency and enhancing the overall passenger experience. This biometric initiative represents a part of AOT’s larger goal to modernize its airport infrastructure.

Sources: Bangkok Post, Bernama

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October 28, 2024 – by Ali Nassar-Smith