Gates for automatic passenger check-in at Gdansk Airport

From February 15, 2023, after landing in Poland, the ABC gates can also be used by children from 12 years of age, if their height exceeds 140 centimeters. Such a change is introduced by the Border Guard Headquarters. Until now, only adults could pass through the gates.

Gdansk Airport is the sixth in Poland to be equipped with ABC (Automated Border Control) gates.

“We are pleased that Gdansk Airport is another airport where the service of our officers, specifically the Border Control process, will be supported by fully automated equipment. Thanks to them, we are gaining more check-in desks for travellers. It should be emphasized that the Automated Border Control gates are fully integrated with databases operated by the Border Guard, which will make it possible to determine whether a person is a threat to state security or is wanted. Additionally, thanks to the verification of travellers with the details contained in their biometric identity documents, the possibility of using a false or someone else’s document will be excluded,” said Andrzej Prokopski, Rear Admiral, Commander of the Maritime Unit of the Border Guard.

“Technological advances represent the development of our Airport. The new equipment gives passengers the opportunity to use automatic border check-in. This can increase their convenience and improve the quality and speed of service. And these are absolute priorities for us. This is the standard today at large world and European airports and this is the standard at Gdansk Airport,” – said Tomasz Kloskowski, the President of Lech Walesa Gdansk Airport.

A total of ten ABC gates are available for travellers to and from the Non-Schengen area. Five are installed in the arrivals hall and five in the departures hall. The automatic border control process is supervised by Border Guard officers. The cost of installing the devices is more than PLN 4.2 million.

Only the citizens of the European Union and of the European Economic Community and Switzerland who use a biometric passport can be checked in at the ABC gates. Polish citizens with a biometric ID card can also use the gates.

A passenger checking in at the ABC gate first scans his or her document by placing it on the reader. Once the boarding gate is opened, the traveller must enter. A biometric checking and verification process follows. Facial image, fingerprints are automatically compared and it is confirmed whether the person presenting the document for check-in is its owner. By verifying the biometric data, the ABC gate rules out the possibility of using a forged, counterfeit or third-party document. The ABC gates are linked to databases operated by the Border Guard. This makes it possible to detect, among other things, whether a traveller is listed in databases, e.g. as a wanted person or a person who poses a threat to internal security and public order. After positive verification, the exit door opens and the passenger can leave the gate. If additional steps and detailed checks are required, the traveller is directed to Line 2 of the checkpoint.