Israel launches biometric airline security system

Posted: Wednesday, January 06, 2010 3:33 PM
Filed Under: Tel Aviv, Israel
By Paul Goldman, NBC News Producer
TEL AVIV – Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport launched a new biometric security system for outbound airline passengers Tuesday, less than two weeks after the failed Christmas Day bombing of a flight bound for Detroit.

Officials said the timing was purely coincidental.

Jack Guez / AFP - Getty Images
Passengers check in using a new security machine as part of measures to increase security at Israel's Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv on Tuesday.

The new system, called UNIPASS, is located at the entrance to the arrival terminal at Ben Gurion and is designed to enable passengers to perform the security check themselves.

While that may sound alarming at first blush, officials I met at the airport Wednesday assured me that the new technology is by no means a sign of them letting down their guard.

On the contrary, they said, it will make one of the most secure air systems in the world even stronger.

Anyone who has passed through Ben Gurion airport in the past would clearly remember the grueling questions and the careful hand-checking of their luggage. No wonder passengers are asked to arrive three hours prior to the flight.

The new system is expected to streamline the process.

One card to clear security
It took me just five minutes to register for the UNIPASS. I handed over my passport and was told to stand still while cameras took my picture. I was then told to place my finger on a glass surface for a fingerprint. The airport officials handed me my personalized UNIPASS smartcard, which I will now use every time I leave the country.

So the next time I have a flight, I can go straight to a security stand where I will swipe my UNIPASS smartcard and my passport through a machine. I’ll also stand in front of a special camera for facial recognition and then place my finger on a machine that does fingerprint scans.

Once the computer confirms the biometric match, a touch screen will ask me a series of security questions that are usually asked by airport security personnel such as, "Did you pack your luggage by yourself?"

There will be security guards standing by to follow-up if there are any incorrect answers or if the system reports a problem.

While the UNIPASS system, developed by the Israeli Airport Authority, is initially being tested on El Al Frequent Flyer Club members, officials expect to expand the program gradually to include all departing passengers, whether they are Israeli citizens or tourists, who register voluntarily.

After the initial security check, the smartcard will be swiped again at the luggage X-ray machine and at the check-in counter. From there it will be, "Bon Voyage."


Comment


Biometrics finally comes of age!