In a major step forward for international travellers, Singapore has just voted through changes to law, introducing biometric immigration clearance at its Changi airport, starting in 2024.
This means that all passengers departing the city-state will go through an automated immigration clearance using biometric data, and will not need to show a passport.
Singapore passed a number of amendments to its Immigration Act in parliament yesterday, and the changes will take effect from the first half of next year.
WHAT IS BIOMETRICS?
Biometrics is an “automated recognition of individuals based on their biological and behavioural characteristics,” according to the National Cyber Security Centre.
In this instance, Biometrics will be used to create a ‘single token of authentication’ that will be employed at various automated touchpoints, from bag-drop to immigration and boarding, said the Ministry of Home Affairs in Singapore in a press statement.
COULD LONG BOARDING QUEUES BE A THING OF THE PAST?
The Singapore government says this new process will reduce the need for passengers to repeatedly present their travel documents at these touchpoints, allowing for more seamless and convenient processing.
And to facilitate it, the Minister will be empowered to authorise the disclosure of passenger and crew information to the airport operator for specific use cases, namely:
- Bag drop, access control and gate boarding;
- passenger tracing within the airport for security purposes;
- offloading of baggage for passengers who did not board the flight;
- verification of travellers’ identity and tax liability for duty free purchases and GST refunds.
So, as well as a smoother and swifter traveller experience from end-to-end, an enormous amount of data sharing on individual passengers will be required.
The Singapore government said the move was also intended to future-proof its systems and processes against new and evolving public health and security challenges.
“Advance passenger and crew information enables ICA to conduct more timely risk assessments and flag out undesirable travellers, such as those who pose a public health or security threat, before they reach our checkpoints. The COVID-19 experience has also demonstrated the need for powers to prohibit the arrival or entry of foreigners during a pandemic,” the press statement added.
WILL THE UK & OTHER MAJOR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS FOLLOW SUIT?
In November, British Airways (BA) became the first UK airline to trial the use of biometric technology for international flights, enabling passengers to travel through the airport without showing a passport.
Customers who signed up to take part in the airline’s trial from London Heathrow Terminal 5 were invited to scan their face, passport and boarding pass on their smartphone or tablet ahead of travel.
When they arrived at the airport, Smart Bio-Pod cameras then verified their identity in under three seconds, preventing the need for a passport until they reached their destination.
“Not only is this the first time that our customers have been able to register their biometric information at home, but it’s the first time they can use it for British Airways’ international flights,” David Breeze, operations transformation manager for British Airways, said at the time.
“This is a secure and efficient tool that makes for a smarter and smoother airport experience, which will reduce the time it takes us to board aircraft. The beauty of this technology is that it also frees our people up to look after more complex customer enquiries and deliver the best possible customer service,” he added.
The trial ran for six months on British Airways flights to Malaga, Spain. And it could be extended to more international flights, if successful, the airline said in a statement.
No further update has been made on the trial. BA has been contacted for comment.
The international trial follows the introduction of automated biometric technology on British Airways’ domestic flights in 2017, when the carrier became the first UK airline to introduce the technology, which records customers’ facial scans at Security and matches it to them at the boarding gate.
So, could passport-free travel be coming to an airport near you in the not-so-distant future? Watch this space!
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