Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has completed a live trial of biometric check-in amid fears that its feeder services will be hit by delays if domestic identity checks are introduced.
The tri-national carrier completed its simplified passenger travel initiative (SPTI) this year and is using data from the trial to develop a system expected to be deployed when Norway and Sweden pass legislation requiring identification on domestic flights. The trial matched an electronic ticket with biometric fingerprint and iris scan data stored on the frequent traveller cards of around 100 volunteers on services between Stockholm Arlanda and Ume† in northern Sweden. The passengers were required to re-establish their IDs at the gate using the same equipment. SAS product innovations manager Charlotte Rosengren-Edgren says the company expects ID checks to become compulsory on domestic flights within the next 18 months.
JUSTIN WASTNAGE / STOCKHOLM
Source: Flight International
