Frankfurt airport has installed biometric systems across all terminals, with facial recognition technology now available for all airline passengers at the German hub.

The move follows biometric trials by Lufthansa and will allow travellers to pass through each stage of the airport journey – from check-in, through to security and boarding – by simply scanning their face.

The technology, powered by IT provider SITA and tech integrator NEC, will combine Star Alliance Biometrics with additional biometric hubs under the SITA Smart Path platform.

According to the airport, travellers can register in advance through the Star Alliance biometric app or directly at the check-in kiosk with biometrics-enabled passports. The registration process takes “a few seconds”, after which point travellers can pass through facial recognition-equipped checkpoints without showing any physical documents. 

The technology has already been used by more than 12,000 passengers at check-in, boarding pass control and boarding gates at the airport.

Pierre Dominique Prumm, Fraport’s executive director of aviation and infrastructure, said: “We are the first European airport to offer all passengers a contactless and convenient passenger journey using biometrics. 

“Our goal for the coming months is to equip at least 50 per cent of all check-in kiosks, pre-security and boarding gates with the new and pioneering technology,” he added.   

IATA’s 2023 Global Passenger Survey highlighted increased confidence in biometric identification among travellers. 

In the last 12 months, 46 per cent of travellers used biometrics at the airport, up from 34 per cent in 2022. 

According to the survey, 75 per cent of travellers also prefer using biometric data over traditional passports and boarding passes. Of those who’ve used biometric identification during their travels, 46 per cent reported an 85 per cent satisfaction rate.

While data protection remains a concern for half of the travellers surveyed, 40 per cent would be more open to biometric solutions if they were confident that their personal information is secure – up from 33 per cent in 2022.