French technology company IDEMIA has responded to Acsa’s termination of its contract for the biometric and digital identity technology project at South African airports, and its reply indicates it would bid for a second time to regain the contract.

In an email to Biometric Update, IDEMIA said it was approaching the completion of Phase 1 of the project when it received Acsa’s decision to terminate the contract.

IDEMIA noted that no portion of the project had been completed, and the company had been maintaining a delivery date of “late 2024”.

IDEMIA called termination at this stage “unfortunate”, but said it understood and respected Acsa’s decision.

It appears that IDEMIA will bid for the biometrics project again.

“We look forward to the opportunity for Acsa to re-procure this solution in the future, ensuring that both South Africans and international travellers benefit from a best-in-class solution that enhances security and improves the overall customer experience.”