Biometric solutions for airports and airlines

Advances in biometric solutions

Read more about advances in biometric technology in an interview with biometry expert Michael Overkämping

Materna’s authentication technology provides secure biometric enrolment where trusted documents like passports are used to verify and authenticate passengers comparing them to captured images. Once this secure enrolment has taken place, passengers may pass other touchpoints contactless without having to present their documents again to prove their identity.

With the Materna solution “Biometrics on the move”, passenger face recognition is activated automatically as soon as the passenger enters a defined area. The passenger only has to walk through security access control, the lounge or self-boarding gate, or receive a bag tag at a self bag drop kiosk. The passenger does not have to actively interact with the biometric identification system. There is no need for the passenger to stop and wait while biometric data is captured for it to work.

This end-to-end-solution helps to minimize passenger queues at key touchpoints. It fills the gap between increasing security requirements for passenger identity verification and smooth passenger processing throughout the passenger journey – from kerbside to boarding. The easy and secure biometric authentication through facial recognition ensures high customer satisfaction.

The Materna IPS common biometric solution is based on biometric technology from MODI (e.g. MODI FaceBar or MODI FaceScreen), Materna CUSS biometric enrolment and identification applications, and passenger touchpoint applications for check-in, bag drop, secured access and self-boarding.

1:1 Identity verification and working with TSA

Materna IPS offers different types of biometric authentication depending on each airport’s or airline’s needs and requirements. Our technologies can identify passengers using 1:N matching or via 1:1 identity verification.

The first option refers to when a passenger has already enrolled at a touchpoint of their choice using their ID document and boarding pass. Any other service or security touchpoint at the airport can then just take the passenger’s picture with an activated face recognition camera and compare the result with the information in the biometric backend provided by CBP/TVS, Materna IPS or by any other biometric service provider.

Materna IPS offers solutions for a combined Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Traveler Verification Service (TVS) and boarding process as well as a TVS-only checkpoint. Depending on the airport’s requirements, this process can also be split up which can help to reduce waiting times in some situations.

During 1:1 matching, the camera integrated in a passenger touchpoint scans the passenger’s face as well as the passport and boarding pass data. The information is then sent to the biometric backend to immediately verify the passenger’s identity.

Materna IPS has already incorporated this solution with Spirit Airlines at several self-service bag drops at various airports in the US. Travelers cannot only use their passport for this process, they even have the option to use their driver’s license.

The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) currently only performs manual ID checks but, in cooperation with Materna IPS, Spirit Airlines is working on getting TSA approval for their One-ID journey.