Singapore introduces biometric check-in system

Airline Industry Information, Nov 25, 2004

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Changi Airport in Singapore has reportedly become the world's first airport to trial a new biometric check-in and immigration system that should allow passengers to check-in in less than two minutes.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said that the Fully Automated Seamless Travel (FAST) system will cut check-in times from the standard 8-15 minutes. The trial, which began on 1 November 2004, allows registered passengers to get a card that contains a microchip recording of their facial details and fingerprints which are read when the card is swiped, confirming their identity with a face and fingerprint scan.

CAAS spokesperson Albert Tjoeng said the key is that FAST is simple but does not compromise security because identity is authenticated. The system is being tested on eight Singapore Airlines regional destinations between now and April 2005, reports AFP.

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