How biometrics technology is used at Ben Gurion Airport.
More than two million people make pilgrimages to the Holy Land each year, and many of these travel through Ben Gurion Airport (BGA), one of the area’s busiest airports. Besides tourists, many Israeli citizens use the facility. Record numbers of travellers have threatened to overwhelm airport services. BGA decided it was time to make some changes. But maintaining security while increasing walking speed and decreasing wait time for travellers posed a challenge. Along with the potential security problems created by long lines and bottlenecks, the crowds meant additional expenses; BGA authorities were forced to devote more and more time and airport services to handle the traffic. Creating an automated inspection system was proposed to help solve the problem. That’s when BGA turned to EDS.
The Response
EDS implemented a pilot system that was installed within a tight three-month schedule. EDS used its Express Entry technology and developed the Ben Gurion Biometric system, which directs its members, Israeli citizens and frequent travellers, to automatic inspection kiosks. The system captures biographic information and a biometric identifier-hand geometry-during enrolment. Travellers use their credit cards for initial identification at Express Entry kiosks during arrival or departure at BGA. The system then validates their hand geometry. Since most of the travellers who use the system are known frequent flyers who are considered low security risks, the technology benefits BGA because it allows airport and border security authorities to focus their limited resources on unknown travellers. This ability to concentrate on high-risk travellers significantly improves airport and border security. Travellers benefit from Express Entry because of the significant reduction in the time required to get through passport control. Before implementation, passengers at peak travel times would often spend up to 60 minutes waiting in passport control lines. Now automated inspection takes less than 15 seconds. Is it successful? Express Entry has reduced, and in some cases eliminated, waiting times for member travellers going through passport control at BGA. In almost two years of operation, nearly 85,000 Israeli citizens have enrolled in the system. An airport expansion this year has increased the number of kiosks, and the system has now completed more than one million inspections. BGA recently opened the system up to all Israeli citizens and is processing approximately 50,000 passengers per month. As a bonus, the system is a revenue source for the airport, generating annual membership fees. Israel Ben Haim, managing director of Ben Gurion International Airport, says: ?We’re very pleased with the Express Entry System Tighter security expedites air travel, and more efficient operations help make our airport one of the world’s best.? BGA received the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association’s inaugural Golden Link Award for excellence and innovation for its use of the EDS-developed inspection system.
The Technology
Express Entry was developed with Microsoft Visual C++, using Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) for interprocess communication. The Express Entry framework can be modified to address specific client needs. The kiosk-based system uses biometrics to validate travellers’ identities, check security databases and print receipts to allow travellers to proceed.
