Abu Dhabi airport to use biometric data instead of passports and boarding passes

A technology company in Abu Dhabi is working to make passengers' airport experience fully contactless. Next50 said the first phase of its Smart Path project was under way and would eventually result in passengers using biometric data, such as face scans, in place of boarding passes, passports and any other documents required to fly. The project is being carried out in collaboration with a French identity-related security services company named Idemia, and Swiss aviation IT company Sita. Next50 uses artificial intelligence and next-generation biometric technology that will initially be employed at various 'touchpoints' across the airport. These include self-service baggage counters, electronic immigration gates and boarding gates. The technology will eventually be used at all touchpoints, eliminating the need to exchange boarding passes and passports with staff. Currently, biometric data is used at e-gates at Abu Dhabi airport but passengers must still present their passport. “We are excited to be leading the biometrics project at the UAE capital’s state-of-the-art international airport as part of the emirate’s digital transformation vision,” said Next50 CE Ibrahim Al Mannaee.<br/>