Qantas is set to trial face-recognition technology at Sydney Airport in coming months. This follows an arrangement by the airport to use the technology for an automated check-in and bag drop, lounge access and final boarding.
Sydney Airport said that consent to the plan is actively sought from all passengers and the “strictest level of privacy” is adhered to on behalf of those participating in the trial.
“We’re very excited that select Qantas passengers now have the chance to experience this highly sophisticated technology as part of this landmark trial,” said Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert.
“In the future, there will be no more juggling passports and bags at check-in and digging through pockets or smartphones to show your boarding pass – your face will be your passport and your boarding pass at every step of the process.”
However the Australian government’s border processing procedures will remain unchanged.
Previous trials of the facial recognition technology at Canberra Airport have seen passengers able to walk through the terminal from their flight without producing their passports.
