One of the world’s busiest airports is ditching an age-old travel staple.
Last week, Singapore Changi Airport announced that it will use biometric sensors instead of passports to register travelers departing the country. The announcement comes after Singapore passed a new law earlier this week that will allow passport-free travel as soon as 2024.
Singapore’s Minister for Communications and Information & Second Minister for Home Affairs, Josephine Teo, told the country’s parliament on Monday, “This will reduce the need for passengers to repeatedly present their travel documents at these touchpoints, allowing for more seamless and convenient processing.”
Taking advantage of this technology will help Singapore Changi Airport keep up with the huge volume of passengers that pass through their renowned travel hub. USA Today shows over 5.15 million travelers arrived or departed from Changi Airport in August alone.
As the already fanciful airport looks to expand even further with a new terminal – Changi Airport already has a rooftop pool, butterfly garden, and the tallest indoor waterfall in the world – Tao said efficient immigration systems are a must.
“Our immigration systems must be able to manage this high and growing volume of travelers efficiently and provide a positive clearance experience while ensuring our security,” she explained, adding that the biometric sensors will also help the city-state strengthen border protection.
Singapore Changi Airport has already used facial recognition software at several of its immigration checkpoints.
Certain U.S. airports and airlines have also begun using biometric technology, namely, Delta Air Lines at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Dubai Airports will also begin implementing passport-free travel with Emirates later this year.
Featured image from Pexels.com.
