IATA proposes new low-risk biometric checkpoint
22 December, 2010
category: Biometrics, Government
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), an airline trade group, has proposed a new type of security checkpoint that would speed up waiting times for low-risk travelers, according to a USA Today article.
The proposal involves sets of three tunnels or otherwise enclosed pathways wherein each would include sensors, x-ray machines, cameras and other standard airport security equipment, however travelers would be assigned specific tunnels based off their biometric and personal information and what that translates to in terms of the information government authorities have about them.
In the scenario the IATA drew out, one of the tunnels would be reserved for travelers deemed “Known Travelers” where they would be subject to a quicker and minimal inspection from agents as compared to the travelers in the other two tunnels of whom less information is known and therefore present a larger security risk.
One of the major points of this would be a swipe of a fingerprint so that a passenger could prove his identity prior to entering the security checkpoint.
The system the IATA is hoping for is very similar to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry program which allows for those who have submitted biometric information, which they also need to provide at the checkpoint, as well as a background check may bypass standard security for automated kiosks so long as they are cleared as a low-terrorism risk.
The IATA’s proposal, which is intended to be in place around the world, is still being reviewed by its own North American division.
Read the full story here.