MCO testing facial recognition technology for international flights

Travelers catching an international flight out of Orlando International Airport may notice something different at the gate: there will be no need to pull out a passport or boarding pass. Instead, they will simply walk through a new biometric facial recognition screening before boarding.It’s all part of a 90-day pilot program designed to speed up the boarding process and make travel more efficient at Florida’s busiest airport. More than 57 million passengers are expected to pass through MCO this year, and airport leaders say 15% of those travelers are heading to international destinations — a major reason behind the push for new technology.WESH 2’s First Warning traffic expert Meaghan Mackey explains how the new system works and what U.S. Customs and Border Protection thinks about the rollout.How the technology worksThe process is simple and fully contactless. Instead of stopping at the gate counter or pulling out documents before getting to the jet bridge, travelers walk through a corridor equipped with mounted cameras. The system captures a live photo and instantly matches it with federal records to verify the identity — all while CBP officers monitor the process on screens “Instead of waiting in long lines and having to pull out documents, the biometric system takes a photo without the traveler having to do anything,” Mackey explained during her walkthrough of the pilot setup.With tens of thousands of passengers passing through the terminal daily, CBP leaders say the time saved adds up quickly.“Seconds matter,” said Diane Sabatino with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.“When you think about just a couple seconds they don’t have to grab their passport, put their bags down, move things — this is important to the efficiency of the entire process.”Aiming for accuracy and securityMCO is partnering with three biometric technology companies as part of the trial. One of them, iProov, says the system blends artificial intelligence with motion-based sensors to confirm a traveler’s identity while safeguarding personal privacy.“This is a tool that makes their job both easier and more accurate so they do a better job,” said Dominic Forrest, chief technology officer at iProov.Another company involved, Aware Inc., emphasizes that passengers are not handing over additional sensitive information.“You wear your face everywhere you go,” said Ajay Amlani, CEO of Aware Inc.“All you’re sharing is your face — not your mother’s maiden name, Social Security number, home address, or anything else. That makes biometrics inherently a privacy-preserving technology.”MCO expands biometric boardingSo far, MCO has installed biometric facial recognition equipment at 65 of its 113 gates, with plans to expand. Airport officials say the technology aligns with their long-term goals of innovation, safety and efficiency as Central Florida’s population — and travel demand — continues to grow.Opting out is still allowedWhile the biometric system is now available to all international travelers, participation is optional. U.S. citizens may request a manual ID check instead, though the line may move more slowly.“U.S. travelers are allowed to opt out of the biometric system and request a manual ID check,” Mackey noted. “But they should expect a longer wait time if they choose to do so.”MCO will evaluate the results of the 90-day pilot before deciding how and when to expand the technology further.