Changi airport has already employed biometric technology, such as facial recognition, in the automated lanes at various checkpoints. The upcoming system will introduce a “single token of authentication”, which will be extended to multiple touchpoints, including bag drops, clearance and boarding.
Teo announced during a parliamentary speech that Singapore is set to become one of the first countries in the world to implement this automated, passport-free immigration clearance.
“It will reduce the need for passengers to repeatedly present their travel documents at touch points and allow for more seamless and convenient processing,” adds Teo.
While this new system will facilitate passport-free immigration for many, passports will still remain necessary for individuals heading to countries outside of Singapore that do not offer this passport-free clearance method, and documents will be necessary for boarding and landing in other countries.
The airport is in the process of expanding its infrastructure, including the addition of a fifth terminal to cater to the growing demand as the travel industry strives to return to pre-pandemic levels. This forthcoming biometric system is expected to be crucial in making the travel process smoother and more efficient.
Singapore is not the only nation adopting these new protocols, with the European Union working on a new entry and exit system (EES), which is set to replace physical passport stamping with the collection of biometric data.
by Gemma Harris | GLOBETRENDER