US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has launched Simplified Arrival biometric facial comparison technology at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to streamline global travel.
The enhanced international process Simplified Arrival makes use of facial biometrics to automate the manual document checks that are needed for entry into the US.
The process ensures a secure, touchless travel experience to travellers while fulfilling a Congressional mandate to record the entry and exit of non-US citizens into the country biometrically.
CBP said that the Simplified Arrival process uses a combination of facial comparison algorithms and trained CBP officers who are skilled at verifying the authenticity of travel documents.
CBP Charlotte area port director Barry Chastain said: “CBP is expanding the use of facial biometrics at Charlotte Douglas International Airport to provide travellers with a safe, touchless international arrival process that further secures and modernises air travel.
“Our valuable partnership with CLT continues to enhance the travel experience. In addition, CBP looks forward to partnering with stakeholders at other international ports of entry across NC to implement Simplified Arrival.”
The biometric facial comparison process is used at a time and place when travellers are required by law to verify their identity with the presentation of a travel document.
Upon arrival at CLT, the passenger will have to pause for a photo at the primary inspection point.
Upon completion, the CBP officer will review the travel document that will retrieve the traveller’s passport or visa photo from government holdings and compare it with the new photo captured at the primary inspection point.
The technology processes the pictures within few seconds and is claimed to be more than 98% accurate.
The identity of non-US citizens who travelled to the country earlier may no longer need to provide fingerprints, as it will be confirmed through the touchless facial biometric process.
