IATA outlines vision for future check-in procedures
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The International Air Transport Association has revealed its vision for future passport control and check-in points at airports at its 67th AGM. The association said it aims to create a ‘one size fits all’ concept for airport security that would use biometric data to screen ‘known’, ‘normal’ and ‘enhanced security’ passengers. Holidaymakers would apply under ‘normal’ travellers although some will be selected at random for further screening. ‘Known’ passengers would be those who have registed and completed background checks with government authorities. The information would be stored in the passenger’s passport or other documents and would mean not having to remove clothes or unpack bags through security. Giovanni Bisignani, director general and CEO of IATA said that the new airport security could be in place within two or three years. “Today’s checkpoint was designed four decades ago to stop hijackers carrying metal weapons. Since then, we have grafted on more complex procedures to meet emerging threats. We are more secure, but it is time to rethink everything,” explained Bisignani. “We need a process that responds to today’s threat. It must amalgamate intelligence based on passenger information and new technology. That means moving from a system that looks for bad objects, to one that can find bad people.”
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