Developed in partnership with biometric-based travel specialist Vision-Box, the e-gates mark the first phase of a new technology application that will improve traveler processing times.
During peak periods, there can be up to 7,000 people an hour making their way through the airport’s international terminal. According to Auckland Airport’s general manager of operations Anna Cassels-Brown, the new technology has led to a fivefold increase in the airport’s processing capacity, in comparison to the previous system, which involved two people manually checking boarding passes.
“This initiative is part of a broader technology transformation that could eventually include biometric authentication to enable seamless customer journeys from check-in to boarding the aircraft,” Cassels-Brown explained.
The next decade will see Auckland undertake a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure upgrade, and the airport will also integrate smart technology throughout the passenger journey.
“The fundamental requirements of passenger processing are not going to change. We still need check-in, baggage drop, customs and security screening. But what technology can do is allow us to link the process together and streamline information in the background, helping to make the experience as seamless as possible,” Cassels-Brown added.
Phase two of Vision-Box’s award-winning Orchestra software will be rolled out in 2020. This second stage will integrate the pre-security gates with real-time flight information from the airport’s operations system Airport20/20; allow for multi-boarding pass processes which benefit families; provide real-time reports for airlines and ground handlers; and integrate with the airport’s access control system for staff ID validation.