The “Biometric Experience by VINCI Airports” programme was launched at the beginning of this year in Lisbon and Porto airports and will be available during the second half of 2024 in Faro, Funchal, and Ponta Delgada.
Funded by the European Union through the NextGenerationEU programme and by the Portuguese Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) through the Accelerate and Transform Tourism Agenda, the initiative is intended to signify a major leap toward digitisation in the European travel industry.
The initial phase of the programme involves TAP Air Portugal flights within the Schengen space. Additional airlines, and a broader array of destinations, will be added later.
The programme consists of the overall automation of the traveller journey with biometrics, ushering in a new era of seamless and contactless journeys at the airports in Portugal, where a traveller's face becomes the only thing needed to fly.
The seamless journey
The experience starts with enrolment, which the traveller can undertake at home via ANA Aeroportos’ mobile app, powered by Vision-Box Mobile ID SDK.
Alternatively, at the airport, travellers can register on their own at biometrically enabled self-service check-in kiosks via Vision-Box’s seamless kiosks or assisted at check-in counters via Vision-Box’s seamless desk.
Once enrolled, the traveller can use their face at biometrically-enabled Vision-Box’s security gates and during the boarding process of selected flights via the company’s biometric self-boarding gates, all powered by Vision-Box's AI-enabled facial recognition algorithm.
Introducing the programme at the five biggest Portuguese airports aligns with the country’s strategic goals for growth in the tourism sector.
“We are very excited about this launch, which represents the most advanced investment in innovation at airports with tangible results for the traveller experience. Facial recognition technology will enable a faster, simpler journey where travellers gain comfort and time, ensuring complete security and confidentiality of their data and the process.
“We are excited about this launch and the expansion of biometrics to more airlines and airports, making the boarding process even more efficient,” said Thierry Ligonnière, CEO of ANA.
