Starting today, lines are due to set to get speedier at Hong Kong’s International Airport (HKIA) as some newfangled security gates come online.
More specifically, the airport will begin using “e-Security Gates” to verify the documents of departing passengers before they enter the restricted area.
Empowered by biometric technology, the gates use facial recognition cameras to ensure passengers travel documents match the identity on their boarding passes.
Replacing manual checks, the new smart gate process will take about 20 seconds.
You’ll be on your way to the boarding area quicker even than if your dad ran the city (see CY Leung and the baggage scandal).
“This new smart initiative will speed up and enhance the accuracy of the document checking process. It also marks the first step in our efforts to streamline passenger boarding at HKIA by using biometrics,” said Chris Au Young, general manager of Smart Airport for the Airport Authority, in a statement.
“In the near future, HKIA will extend the use of biometrics and facial recognition to check-in and boarding procedures with the aim of using passengers’ faces for identity verification throughout their departure journey at HKIA, providing a seamless experience for travellers.”
The gates can be used by any passenger over 11 years old and holding a valid electronic travel document. No prior enrolment required. Sweet.
Four e-Security Gates have been installed at the South Departure Hall at Terminal 1 and more will be install in phases.
By the first quarter of 2019, all 44 planned super smart gates will be installed.
“The target is to achieve near-zero queuing time for passengers,” wrote the airport in a statement.
Admirable goal.
