Fully automatic check-in and boarding processes proposed for domestic flights

Ground staff help a passenger scan his ID card and use the facial recognition device for security checks at Nội Bài International Airport in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Huy Hùng

HÀ NỘI — A proposal has been submitted to the Ministry of Transport to approve the use of biometrics and the population database, citizen identification and e-authentication for domestic flights.

The document, which is submitted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), aims for full automation of the check-in and boarding processes.

If approved, the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) will invest and put in place equipment and software solutions for chip-based ID card and biometric authentication at Phú Bài, Cát Bi and Điện Biên airports within Q1, 2024.

Based on evaluation results at these airports, the model will be scaled up to the remaining airports in the country.

The e-identification platform of the Ministry of Public Security can also connect and share the database with the ACV’s aviation check-in system, per the proposal.

The ACV will also conduct further research and work with relevant stakeholders to pilot this automatic verification model for international flights in 2024.

To use this system, passengers will need a chip-based ID card, booking reservation code and agree to sharing personal information and facial recognition.

At the first touchpoint, the check-in counter will be equipped with a chip-based ID card reader and a facial recognition device.

The second and third touchpoints are respectively the Automated Boarding Area Access Gate (ABAAG) and the Automated Self Boarding Gate (ASBG) with integrated biometrics verification.

A CAAV leader said: “Passenger verification through biometric authentication must comply with the laws on personal data protection.”

The CAAV has previously agreed that facial and fingerprint recognition technology, equipment technical standards, biometrics authentication software and the e-identification app (VNeID) will follow the guidelines of the Police Department for Administrative Management of Social Order (under the Ministry of Public Security). — VNS