Acsa’s R100-million (€4.9m) biometric and e-gate project for South Africa’s airports is well under way and looks set to roll out within the coming two years.

It’s just as well that Acsa is adopting a proactive approach – Iata predicts that by 2040 airports will be handling twice as many passengers as in 2019, and the consensus among many is that those that do not have the efficiencies and speed provided by biometrics and e-gates could be overwhelmed by passenger numbers.

In an update provided to Tourism Update, the airport operator revealed that it had begun rolling out its biometric and digital identity technology in what it says will be a “phased approach”. Acsa reported some passenger reluctance in the pilot phase.

“Acsa is leveraging facial recognition technology as part of our biometric-based border control systems to streamline immigration processes, reduce transaction times, and enhance security. While the initial pilot project did not meet the expected throughput due to passenger anxiety and unfamiliarity, we are addressing this challenge through comprehensive passenger education,” said an Acsa spokesperson. 

Part of this education includes a virtual tour platform on the Acsa app, providing passengers – especially international travellers – with a preview of the biometric system and travel recommendations before arriving at the airport.

Acsa will also implement OneID, a unique passenger identifier created through self-enrolment on the Acsa app which uses facial recognition technology. 

“This system streamlines the airport experience by automating processes from bag-drop and pre-security to immigration and boarding checks, enhancing efficiency and convenience for passengers. OneID eliminates the need for physical documentation at touchpoints, and passengers can also track their baggage through the system,” said Acsa.

It is believed that passengers can look forward to what should be a more seamless travel experience with enhanced security during 2026.

Global gains

Iata anticipates that the travel market will double from four billion passengers in 2019 to eight billion by 2040. At the current rate that travel is growing, paper-based and physical processes will not be able to keep up with the volumes of travellers passing through airports each day, hence the growing need for digital solutions that can quickly and accurately manage passenger check-ins at security and boarding gates.

In a white paper titled ‘Face the Future’ released by airport and airline tech provider SITA last week, SITA anticipates that by 2026, over 50% of check-ins and baggage drops will use biometrics, while 70% of airlines expect to have biometric ID management in place. 

SITA recently confirmed its strategic investment in Indicio – a global market leader in decentralised identity technology. The move is expected to accelerate the development and deployment of trusted digital identities for travel. 

“Digital identity is the biggest catalyst for change in air transport in more than a decade. The emergence of digital identities means we can fundamentally rethink today’s complex passenger journey to make it easier, faster, and connected with the wider travel ecosystem. It will simplify the identification process at every step and open up opportunities for the air transport industry to fully embrace the benefits of seamless travel and the digital economy,” said Jeremy Springall, Senior Vice-President of Borders at SITA.