SITA has been chosen by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority as the technology partner for biometric exit at Orlando International airport. Orlando International becomes the first US airport to fully deploy the US Customs & Border Protection Biometric Entry and Exit Programme. Over the coming months, SITA will integrate Smart Path, its sophisticated biometric technology, at the airport’s 30 international boarding gates.

Earlier this year, SITA worked with GOAA, British Airways and CBP to incorporate the US biometric departure check for British Airways’ customers. The trial’s success has prompted airport-wide implementation of the technology. The system makes passenger boarding both quicker and easier, while it also incorporates the new secure biometric exit checks. Currently, British Airways is boarding flights of almost 240 customers in around 15 minutes. With Smart Path, passengers look at a camera, without having to present boarding passes or passports.

John Newsome, Chief Information Officer, GOAA, commented: “Our decision to implement biometric exit checks across the whole airport follows a hugely successful live trial. The innovative boarding process we tested is really popular with passengers. They simply look at the camera and within seconds the gate opens and they can board the flight. It is easy, fast and most importantly, secure. The solution works on common-use boarding gates and can be easily used by the many international airlines that we serve at Orlando.”