Cathay Pacific has begun a biometric boarding trial at selected gates in Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).
The system relies on facial recognition to verify passengers against a pre-registered database of travelers scheduled to board. Passengers are invited to opt in during check-in; those who agree are directed to a registration kiosk to scan their passport and boarding pass and have a photograph taken. Once registered, they can be cleared at the departure gate without needing to present documents.
“For passengers, the journey from arrival at the airport to boarding becomes easier and more efficient,” said Wilma van Dijk, safety and security director at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
Van Dijk explained that today travelers typically show their passport or boarding card at several points—when dropping luggage, entering security, crossing border control and again at boarding. With biometric recognition, those checkpoints can be passed more smoothly because the traveler is identified by their face, allowing passports and boarding passes to remain in carry-on bags.
Cathay Pacific plans to expand the trial to include passport control next. The airline joins several others testing similar systems; industry research from SITA indicates a strong interest in facial recognition, with a large percentage of airlines and airports planning significant programs or research into this technology.
The trial emphasizes convenience and reduced document handling while maintaining verification steps through initial registration. Passengers who choose not to participate continue to use standard identity checks and boarding procedures.