Athens International Airport has become the first airport in Europe to pilot SITA’s Smart Path™ facial biometric technology. The system enables eligible passengers to pass through designated security checkpoints using facial recognition instead of presenting a passport or boarding pass.
Passengers who opt in at the airport scan their passport and have a biometric photo taken. The system links that image to the traveler’s booking, confirming their identity and enabling a streamlined journey through security. Once enrolled, travelers can proceed along a fast-track lane without repeatedly showing ID or boarding documentation.
Beyond improved passenger flow, Smart Path is appealing to airlines because it leverages the same biometric infrastructure already used by common check-in kiosks, which helps control implementation costs. The solution can be tailored to the operational needs of individual carriers, allowing Athens to extend the service to partner airlines, including those affiliated with Aegean’s Star Alliance network.
SITA’s Smart Path is already in use at several international airports, including Brisbane (BNE), Doha (DOH), Muscat (MCT), Orlando (MCO), Miami (MIA) and Boston (BOS), with additional rollouts planned in subsequent years.