Continental Airlines Uses Contactless Cards
14 January, 2003
category: Biometrics, Contactless, Government
IP@SS Smart Card Airport Security Solution Using OTI Smart Card Technology Expanded to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
ROSH PINA, Israel, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ – OTI (Nasdaq: OTIV, Neuer Markt: OT5), global provider of contactless smart card technology and product solutions, announced that OTI’s security product integrated within ICTS International N.V.’s, IP@SS airport security product (Integrated Passenger Security Solutions), has been expanded to include round-trip operations between Newark Liberty International Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on Continental Airlines. OTI is providing contactless microprocessor-based smart cards, readers, and related technology to the project.
Oded Bashan, Chairman, President and CEO of OTI, remarked: “This expansion of the IP@SS System demonstrates the security and reliability of the OTI smart card product platform in venues where rapid, convenient throughput of customers, combined with high security, is mandatory. We look forward to IP@SS being expanded to additional locations.”
The smart card upgrade to the IP@SS system has been implemented by Continental Airlines on its flights between Newark Liberty International Airport and Tel Aviv, Israel since October 2002 with great success. According to consumerwebwatch.com, almost 640 million passengers board one of the nation’s 24,535 flights each day. In addition, there are over 120 million frequent flyers members worldwide, while as of January 2002 American Airlines AAdvantage had 45,000,000 frequent flyer members, as of April 2001, Continental Airlines had 19,000,000 frequent flyer members, as of March 2001 Delta Air Lines SkyMiles had 29,000,000 frequent flyer members and as of April 2001, United Airlines Mileage Plus had 40,000,000 frequent flyers members.
IP@SS is a computerized integrated system for the verification and screening of passengers and travel documents, which integrates an automated document scanner, biometric identification and verification systems, database search and analysis systems, and smart card technology. The integrated solution enables complete validation of airline passengers throughout the boarding process via biometrics matched to data stored on the passenger’s smart card, providing a platform for a “Trusted Traveler” concept. Passenger data is kept exclusively on the smart card, which remains in the passengers’ possession. According to Freedonia Group the US electronic access control industry totals approximately $3.3 billion.
About OTI
Established in 1990, OTI designs and develops contactless microprocessor-based smart card technology to address the needs of a wide variety of markets. Applications developed by OTI include product solutions or mass transit, parking, gas management systems, loyalty schemes, ID and secure campuses. OTI has a global network of regional offices to market and support its products. The company was awarded the prestigious ESCAT Award for smart card innovation in both 1998 and 2000.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Securities laws. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, such as market acceptance of new products and our ability to execute production on orders, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the statements included in this press release. Although OTI believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved. OTI disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
SOURCE OTI
Web Site: http://www.otiglobal.com