Frankfurt Airport (Fraport) has partnered with SITA and NEC to bring a comprehensive biometric passenger processing solution to all terminals and airlines operating at the airport. This solution, known as SITA Smart Path, will simplify the passenger journey from check-in to boarding by allowing passengers to scan their faces at biometric touchpoints located throughout the airport.

Starting this year, passengers will be able to enrol in the program at a kiosk or counter and then use their biometric information to pass through automated gates, self-boarding gates, and other stages of the journey with ease. This project is the first of its kind to provide a common-use biometric platform for all airlines operating at Fraport.

Lufthansa passengers, in particular, will benefit from the integration of SITA Smart Path with Star Alliance Biometrics. This technology will use the biometric identities of Lufthansa passengers enrolled on Star Alliance’s platform to provide seamless identification across multiple participating airports and airlines.

The NEC I: Delight digital identity management platform is fully integrated with SITA Smart Path and has been ranked as the world’s most accurate face recognition technology by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology. Passengers who opt to use this service will be quickly and accurately identified, even while on the move. Those who prefer not to use biometrics can still check in using a traditional counter.

Dr Pierre Dominique Prümm, Member of the Executive Board and Executive Director of Aviation & Infrastructure at Fraport AG, stated that this implementation will transform the passenger experience by offering a simple and intuitive solution for all terminals and carriers. SITA President for Europe, Sergio Colella, added that this project will help Fraport lead the industry in responding to shifting passenger demands for convenience and autonomy while maximizing operational efficiencies. Jason Van Sice, Vice President for NEC Advanced Recognition Systems, praised the collaboration between SITA and NEC and the benefits it will bring to Lufthansa and Fraport customers.

In conclusion, the deployment of SITA Smart Path at Frankfurt Airport marks a significant step forward in the development of digital travel. By providing a biometric platform for all airlines operating at the airport, Fraport is transforming the passenger experience and laying the foundation for the wider adoption of biometric technology across the Star Alliance network.

Written by: Stephen Peters

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