Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport in Italy has introduced self-service immigration control technology from air transport IT specialist SITA. This will speed up the border process for EU passengers who hold a biometric passport.
The iBorders BorderAutomation ABCGates system uses world-leading facial and fingerprint recognition, and scans the passport to ensure it is authentic and valid. The average processing time is just 20 seconds, reducing waiting times and optimizing passenger flow. As a result, the ABCGates will allow more than 10,000 passengers through per day. More than seven million passengers passed through Bologna last year, and it has become the fourth airport in the country to adopt the fast-track system.
Nazareno Ventola, CEO of Aeroporto di Bologna, said, “Today, passengers increasingly demand more self-service options across their journey that help provide a quick and seamless journey through the airport. SITA’s ABCGates help us meet this demand while ensuring we can accommodate an increasing number of travelers, particularly during peak arrival periods.”
Dave Bakker, SITA President, Europe, added, “Not only do passengers value the convenience of self-service technology but it helps airports improve the passenger flow through the airport. Our ABCGates are a good example of how we have worked with airports across Italy to provide ease-of-use while supporting the country’s ability to manage its borders, keeping them safe and secure.”
Written by Chris Anderson
