Biometric technology and its use for identity checks is evolving fast for a growing number of the world’s airports and airlines.

A study from aviation technology specialist SITA says using the technology to check passenger identity will mean faster, and more secure process at airports, which is particularly important given figures showing passenger volumes will double to 7.8 billion by 2036.

The SITA study – Biometrics for Better Travel: An ID Management Revolution – highlights a number of airports that are already trialling the technology including Bangalore International Airport, Brisbane Airport and Changi Airport.

More recently Miami International Airport opened a fully-biometric passport screening service at one of its terminals.

SITA also points to research showing 63% of airports plan to invest in biometric ID technology between now and 2020. In addition, 43% of airlines say they also plan investment in the technology.

A number of airlines have also been conducting trials including KLM and JetBlue which piloted facial recognition for boarding this time last year and, Finnair which used the technology for check-in at Helsinki.

The SITA study goes on to talk about driver’s for using the technology with improving passenger experience standing out as the main one.

SITA’s research reveals passengers are already happy to use the technology with more than a third saying they used it on their last flight. More than a third of passengers used automated ID control or biometrics on their last flight and 57% say they would use it instead of a passport of boarding pass.

For airlines, there’s also an efficiency driver when it comes to employing biometric technology, with carriers looking to improve ID management to improve aircraft turnaround times and reduce cost.

Despite the benefits and apparent comfort levels from passengers, it will take huge collaboration from all sides, including governments, to really push the biometric ID management movement.

The full SITA paper can be downloaded here.

Related reading:

An airline perspective on 2017 and the coming year

Facial scanning at airports: convenient but is it legal?

Airline passengers like the sound of biometrics but privacy still a concern

Could new mobile biometrics hold they key to global traveller identity?