By Rob Sutton, Director of Solution Enablement for Aviation and Travel at HID
The European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), launched with a phased rollout in October 2025, will fundamentally transform how non-EU travellers move across borders in the 29-country Schengen Area.
One key requirement is the capture of biometric data – facial images and fingerprints – along with passport details and travel history. While all Schengen border points must have EES fully deployed by April 2026, the phased rollout has highlighted both the promise and operational challenges of large-scale biometric implementation. Yes, EU residents and visitors can say goodbye to smudgy passport stamps and hello to a fully digital travel experience, but this also underscores the critical element of accuracy, resilience and scalability in these systems.
This wake-up call has upended staid passenger processing systems that include manual identity checks and document-based verification. The implementation of these new systems provides real-world data on their effectiveness, and the early signs are beyond encouraging. Biometric verification can reduce airport processing times by 30% to over 80% compared to manual checks, depending on implementation. U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports that biometric Global Entry kiosks cut processing time from 45 seconds to under six seconds per traveller.
EES is more than a compliance mandate – it’s a strategic shift toward smarter, more secure borders. For airports, it’s an opportunity to modernise operations, improve passenger flow and align with the EU’s broader digital transformation goals.
By 2026, more than half of airports expect to use biometrics at check‑in and bag drop, and around 70% of airlines plan to have biometric identity management systems in place, reflecting both the appeal of dependable AI‑enabled processes and the growing risks of clinging to legacy workflows.
Passengers have also expressed an overwhelming preference for biometric experiences. Roughly three-quarters of travellers worldwide say they would share their biometric information if it meant skipping passport and boarding pass checks, according to IATA’s 2025 Global Passenger Survey.
Global air passenger traffic has slightly surpassed pre‑Covid levels, reaching 9.8 billion passengers in 2025, according to Airports Council International (ACI). International travel growth has outpaced domestic travel growth, a trend that is expected to continue. By 2040, air traffic is expected to double to 20 billion passengers, according to ACI’s latest long-term forecast of global passenger traffic – underscoring the urgency for airports to invest in scalable identity solutions now. The onus is on airlines and airports to embrace technology that improves efficiency and passenger throughput while maintaining high security standards.
Strong global shift to Face ID
As in Europe, US regulators are deploying facial recognition through programs like the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Traveller Verification Service (TVS), which has evolved into a fully touchless, on-the-move system that verifies a passenger’s identity without physical documents. Airlines and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are also using TVS credentials for eligible Pre-Check and Global Entry members travelling domestically to provide touchless, token-less ID checks at baggage drop and security.
Airports worldwide are already reaping the rewards from deploying facial recognition for passenger processing. Singapore Changi Airport integrates facial recognition into its immigration process, reducing passenger clearance time by 60% to as little as 10 seconds per passenger.
Frankfurt Airport has integrated large‑scale biometric identity verification into its security and border‑control processes, embedded as a structural element of the travel experience. Across its terminals, over 100 automated facial recognition gates connect to European identity systems and airline platforms, enabling high‑volume, real‑time checks. Airport officials report significant improvements in passenger and processing efficiencies.
India has extended its use of biometric authentication across 24 airports, with plans to add another 17 during 2026.
Digital systems must address privacy concerns head-on
Despite relative comfort among passengers using digital IDs, European travellers are comparatively cautious in adopting digital solutions that require sharing personal data to enhance the journey. Among all regions, European passengers are the least willing to share biometric information to accelerate airport processes, according to IATA’s 2025 Global Passenger Survey. When they do share, they report lower satisfaction with biometric services than travellers elsewhere.
Airlines and airports must be clear about how facial recognition is used to enhance the travelling public’s comfort. In airport deployments, facial recognition systems do not retain images of travellers’ faces. Instead, they generate a unique biometric template – a mathematical representation that converts key facial characteristics into encrypted, non-visual data. This template is used solely for identity verification and, as a best practice, is retained only briefly and deleted once the passenger boards.
Clearly articulating this distinction helps organisations address privacy concerns, reinforce governance standards and support broader acceptance of biometric solutions.
Three non-negotiables in facial recognition
Given the size of the opportunity and the central role of public trust, creating a seamless passenger experience requires a deliberate end-to-end strategy rather than isolated point solutions.
To future-proof operations and maintain high standards for security, safety, efficiency and user satisfaction, facial recognition deployments should be guided by three clearly defined, non-negotiable criteria that establish a strong foundation for next-generation identity management:
- High accuracy and trust lay the foundation. At a minimum, the technology must perform reliably and at speed. Strong biometric accuracy enables airports and airlines to move passengers through checkpoints efficiently while improving the overall travel experience and reducing pressure on frontline staff. Just as important, consistent performance across all traveller populations supports regulatory compliance and helps establish the level of trust required for long-term adoption.
At the boarding gate, this shows up as a simple, intuitive interaction: a passenger approaches, looks briefly at the camera and proceeds without interruption. There is no need to pause, reposition or repeat the process. That experience is only possible when systems are designed for broad inclusivity, using AI-trained algorithms built on diverse datasets. A wide field of view and reliable performance across varying lighting conditions – from dim jetways to bright terminals – help ensure that every traveller is processed fairly, efficiently and without friction.
- Resilient architecture ensures data protection. Security and trust must be integral to any facial recognition system, which should be engineered with robust architecture and advanced anti-spoofing capabilities that strengthen defences against evolving threats. A privacy-by-design approach is essential for airports and airlines seeking to reduce operational risk and operate confidently across global markets. By prioritising the protection of sensitive passenger data, organisations can better mitigate cyber threats and fraud, support complex international compliance requirements and protect long-term brand reputation.
- Future-proof systems lower TCO. Any large-scale technological investment must be built to evolve as technologies and requirements change. A flexible, scalable biometric architecture enables airports and airlines to deploy rapidly and operate efficiently from the outset, minimising disruption to existing workflows and accelerating adoption among staff and travellers. Over time, this adaptability helps reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) while delivering faster time-to-value and a clear, sustainable return on investment.
Enable effortless movement from home to gate
Taken together, these considerations underscore why facial recognition should be approached as a long-term capability rather than a one-off technology upgrade.
Airports and airlines that invest in accuracy, security and adaptability position themselves to meet rising passenger expectations while navigating evolving regulatory, operational and threat landscapes. A well-architected biometric solution simplifies today’s journey while remaining ready for tomorrow’s demands, whether that means higher passenger volumes, new use cases or stricter privacy requirements.
At the same time, facial recognition systems should align operational efficiency with public trust, ensuring innovation does not come at the expense of confidence or compliance. By focusing on scalable, privacy-conscious design and measurable business outcomes, organisations can unlock lasting value, protect their brands and deliver seamless experiences that support growth to 2040 and beyond.
