Facial recognition at Madrid-Barajas Airport is almost there

Company Madrid-Barajas Airport
Date 25.11.2019

After the launch of the 1st pilot test of the facial recognition system in the boarding process at Menorca airport, members of the board of directors of Aena and Iberia together with representatives of the technology companies participating in the project, have now presented the passenger recognition system for travelers at Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport.

This is an automated system that includes advanced document and biometric validation technologies, which seeks to make access time on board passengers faster and less tedious. The project is framed within the Aena «Airport 4.0» program, which promotes the testing, validation and implementation of innovative solutions that allow the provision of innovative and sustainable airport services.

The equipment of biometric systems of facial recognition have been located next to the check-in counters, in the access to the security filter and at the boarding gate, where the biometric data of the passenger and their facial features are validated (face image) , at the time the documentation is presented (ID or passport). The objective is that travelers can board without showing neither the boarding pass nor their identification documentation, speeding up access to their flight and allowing the customer experience to be improved. This validation of documentation with biometric data is carried out only once during the pilot test, provided that the passenger gives his or her consent for subsequent flights.

In March of this year, Air Europa was the airline chosen for the first boarding test with this system at Menorca airport; Now it is the turn of the airline Iberia from terminal T4.

Who can use this facial recognition system:

Passengers on flights originating in Madrid and going to Asturias and Brussels embarking through gates J40 and J58 of terminal T4 of the Madrid-Barajas airport.
The passenger must be of legal age, have a D.N.I. 3.0 or valid electronic passport (those with a chip, issued since 2015) and the boarding pass.
Users must register their profile in facial recognition kiosks located between the counters of Iberia 847 and 848 (in T4), or in those facing the family filter (in T4), or in the Iberia app or in Aena’s (both for Android systems and if your mobile has NFC technology).

The process to follow for fast boarding is 3 simple steps:

a) Register first in the biometric kiosk or in the app. Bring along the travel documentation, identification and boarding pass.
b) Go to the security filters of the T4 terminal (general or fast track) and look for the exclusive access identified with this signal. The camera will verify your identity and can be accessed without showing additional documentation.
c) You can board your flight to Asturias or Brussels at boarding gates J40 and J58 of terminal T4 of the Madrid-Barajas airport.

IECISA, Gunnebo and Thales have been the companies responsible for developing, supplying and installing the necessary equipment for automated facial recognition systems, which include advanced document and biometric validation technologies.

Contact

Aeropuerto Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas
Avda. de la Hispanidad s/n
28042- Madrid
Spain
  • (+34) 91 321 10 00