DENVER — Denver International Airport installed biometric devices at 15 gates across two of its concourses.
The biometric device provides airlines a convenient, efficient, and safe way to board passengers on international flights.
“We can use biometrics to verify the validity of the passport and match the passport to the individual that’s in front of the camera. It’s a much more comprehensive way of reviewing the passport and quicker,” said John McGinley, aviation program manager at DIA.
When travelers depart on international flights, they will take a picture at the departure gate. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Biometric Exit process will compare the travels pictures to images the travel already has on file with government, such as a passport or visa picture.
This allows travelers to board international flights without handing their passport to a gate agent.
Airlines are also able to utilize the devices to cross-reference passenger lists, allowing passengers to board without scanning a physical or digital boarding pass.
Facial images, taken during the boarding process, are only used for real time verification. Airlines immediately delete any photos taken during this process and will not retain any photos taken during boarding for any purpose.
“We are required to post signage at every gate when we’re conducting biometrics, and if for whatever reason a passenger isn’t comfortable with biometric, all they need to do is tell the gate agent, and the gate agent will just inspect the passport visually,” said McGinley.
If you wish to opt out, travelers will be required to present a valid travel document for inspection by the gate agent and they will be processed consistent with existing requirements for departure from the United States.
Denver International airport has become the latest airport in the U.S to adopt a biometric exit solution to support CBP in fulfilling its congressional mandate for biometric passenger screening on departing international flights.
“The requirement that congress has mandated is that biometrics be used at all ports of entry and exit. This is part of recommendations that came out of the 9/11 report, and they’ve been around for some time. Airports are now getting to the point that they can start installing these equipment's,” said McGinley.
A total of 15 gates, on concourses A and C, are now equipped with biometric facial recognition technology.