In the second half of the year, this solution will also be extended to Faro, Madeira and Ponta Delgada, according to a report by ECO.

Biometric boarding is, for now, limited to selected TAP flights within the Schengen area. “In a second phase, other airlines and more destinations will join, including extra-European flights”.

To use the Biometrics Experience developed by Vinci Airports, owner of ANA, passengers must register in advance on a mobile device through an application with the same name, available on IOS and Android. They can also use their own equipment at the airport, located at the check-in entrance, or next to the boarding gates.

Registration involves using the application or kiosk to photograph “the boarding pass, electronic passport or Portuguese citizen card and take a ‘selfie’, accepting the terms and conditions”, explains the concessionaire. “When boarding, simply go to the machine that reads your facial biometric data. The data is deleted after the flight departs”.

The system began to be installed and tested at Lyon Airport, in 2022 and is supported by the European Union, through the NextGenerationEU program. According to ANA, the technology “is at the forefront of the most innovative boarding procedures at airports worldwide”. The value of the investment is not mentioned.

“Facial recognition technology will allow for a faster, simpler journey, in which the passenger gains comfort and time, with complete security in the confidentiality of their data and the process”, says Thierry Ligonnière, CEO of ANA-Aeroportos de Portugal.