Expedited Customs: Biometric Border Control Gates Implemented in Rome
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European Union electronic passport holders can now use self-service immigration tech at Rome’s Fiumicino-Leondardo de Vinci International Airport. A total of eight Automated Border Control (ABC) Gates – four in arrivals and four in departures – are being trialled with assistance from SITA, enabling the speedy transport of 3,000 eligible passengers per day using a combination of biometric technology including facial recognition and fingerprints to reduce wait times.
Our feature in October’s Journey Issue on new border control programs examines how customs queues are being expedited with new technologies. Improving border control wait times isn’t just an initiative that can alleviate passenger anxieties; countries are finding that customs protocols also affect brand image when it comes to tourism and a destination’s general appeal for travelers.
These include Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks at airports like Dallas/Forth Worth International and Chicago O’Hare International, while other major hubs like Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson are exploring a step further with Mobile Passport Control, allowing eligible users to enter customs through a dedicated lane after completing the border control questionnaire through the app.