Amadeus Brings Curb-to-Gate Biometrics to Houston Airports

Houston Airports is embracing curb-to-gate biometric technology, enabling travelers to do everything from checking in to boarding without interacting with airport personnel.

The technology is being deployed at George Bush Intercontinental Airport’s A and D terminals, and at the William P. Hobby Airport. Travelers who enroll in the system will submit their face biometrics, with the data essentially being turned into their boarding pass and passport. Once enrolment is complete, a passenger will automatically be identified by face-scanning cameras at check-in kiosks, baggage drop-off, airline lounge entrances, and at the boarding gate.

Enrolled passengers won’t need to interact with airport agents, nor will they have to display physical documents while proceeding through the airport.

Houston Airports’ tech partner for the project is Amadeus, a Spain-based travel technology company. Amadeus also enjoyed a high-profile deployment of its innovative technology last September, when the company announced that London’s Heathrow Airport was using Amadeus’ contactless touchscreen system in its bag drop process.

For its part, Houston Airports – the operator of both George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and William P. Hobby (HOU) – has been an early adopter of biometric passenger processing solutions in the past. In 2019, it deployed the CLEAR expedited passenger screening system at IAH; and the following year HOU became the site of a deployment of Simplified Arrival, US Customs and Border Protection’s face-based security screening program.

“Advanced technology equates to shorter lines, greater efficiency, and a vastly improved passenger experience,” explained Houston Airports Chief Technology Officer Darryl Daniel. “Using this innovative technology allows us to make the airport journey more seamless, touchless and intuitive and is of great value for our passengers, air carriers and airport partners.”

Amadeus’s biometric solutions are not yet fully operational at the two Houston airports, and a timeline for their full-scale launch has not yet been publicized. But Amadeus and Houston Airports say that an initial phase of deployment is currently underway, and that full service will go live in the near future.

Source: Aviation Pros

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May 11, 2022 – by Alex Perala