McCarran International Airport in Nevada, USA, has become the first in the world to deploy SITA’s next-generation automated passport control (APC) kiosks.
The Phase 4.0 machines feature enhanced embedded videos making them simpler and more intuitive for first-time users. Eligibility has also been increased from the previously established 38 visa waiver countries to include virtually all of McCarran Airport’s international arrivals.
McCarran Airport first deployed SITA’s APC kiosks in March 2015, increasing efficiency at the border by allowing passengers to provide their travel document, biometric data and customs declaration prior to speaking to a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer.
Rosemary Vassiliadis, director of aviation for Clark County Department of Aviation, the airport operator, said, “McCarran welcomed nearly 43 million travelers in 2014 – the most since 2008 – with much of that growth coming from outside the USA. We expect the volume of international travel will continue to rise, and offering the speed and convenience of SITA’s APC self-service kiosks for passport processing to a greater number of travelers will allow us to accommodate that growth while continuing to deliver an exceptional guest experience.”
Paul Houghton, president – Americas, SITA, said, “SITA is helping airports worldwide deliver an end-to-end, hassle-free and secure passenger journey. Whether at check-in or upon arrival, automating routine and often time-consuming processes like passport control has proven to significantly cut wait times, enabling airports to improve operational efficiency and passenger satisfaction. In the USA our APC kiosks have reduced wait times for passengers by as much as 40%.”
August 7, 2015