Frankfurt Airport introduces “touchless” biometric passenger journey

Frankfurt Airport introduces “touchless” biometric passenger journey

The new system will be available for all airlines operating out of Germany’s largest air hub.

Starting later this year, passengers traveling through Frankfurt Airport will be able to complete the steps in their journey, from check-in to boarding, by scanning their faces at biometric touchpoints across the airport.

Fraport, the airport operator, has teamed up with airport solution provider SITA and IT giant NEC to implement this contactless solution across the mammoth airport. The solution will be rolled out and available to all interested airlines using the airport, according to a SITA press release.

The implementation will see additional biometric touchpoints installed by spring 2023, SITA says. “From enrollment at a kiosk or counter, to pre-security automated gates and self-boarding gates, passengers can use biometric technology to seamlessly pass through each stage of the journey by simply scanning their face”, they promise.

The project provides “a true common-use biometric platform at all Fraport terminals, open to all airlines operating at the airport”, the announcement claims. The service will also combine day of travel enrollment, Star Alliance Biometrics, and additional biometric hubs under the umbrella of the SITA Smart Path platform.

Special advantages for frequent flyers

Lufthansa passengers will enjoy added benefits, thanks to the integration of SITA Smart Path with Star Alliance Biometrics. This technology uses the biometric identities of Lufthansa passengers enrolled on Star Alliance’s platform and enables “seamless identification of passengers” without any additional steps across multiple participating airports and airlines.

The new system is powered by the NEC I:Delight digital identity management platform, which is fully integrated with SITA Smart Path platform. It allows passengers who have opted to use the service to be identified quickly and accurately, even on the move. Passengers who do not wish to use the solution can check in using a traditional check-in counter.

Dr. Pierre Dominique Prümm, Member of the Executive Board and Executive Director Aviation & Infrastructure, Fraport AG, said: “We are extremely excited to be able to transform the experience for all our passengers across all terminals and carriers with one simple, intuitive solution”.