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World's first fully automated
system uses Biometric Recognition Technology |
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Singapore Changi Airport has started to test a
biometrics-based system called Fully Automated Seamless Travel (FAST) that
speeds frequent flyers through check-in and immigration formalities. |
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The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS),
Singapore Airlines (SIA) and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA)
are jointly conducting a six-month trial of the world's first automated system
that combines the check-in and immigration processes for departing travellers
into one. |
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Currently, travellers departing Changi Airport go
through departure formalities at three different locations before getting into
the transit area: |
- Airline check-in counter (to obtain boarding pass and
seat allocation)
- Police check before entering the departure
immigration hall
- Immigration counter (for passport verification)
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With the FAST system, the traveller can clear the
same processes at just one spot, saving him precious time. While the normal
process may take between 8 and 15 minutes, the FAST traveller will be cleared
in less than 2 minutes at the dedicated FAST lane. This lane is located next
to the North Departure Immigration counters in Terminal 2. |
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Upon enrolment, the FAST traveller will get a card
containing a microchip that has captured his facial features and fingerprint
details. Authentication of his identity will be done at a one-stop kiosk in
the FAST lane, where the traveller can check-in, select seat onboard, collect
his boarding pass and clear immigration from a user-friendly interactive
touch-screen monitor. |
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For now, the FAST trial is opened to selected
frequent travellers on the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer programme. About 9,000
travellers are expected to participate in the trial, which started on 1
November. |
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Mr Wong Woon Liong, Director-General of Civil
Aviation (CAAS) said, "Changi Airport is always prepared to test and adopt new
technologies and ways that can effectively enhance our airport processes, so
as to facilitate travellers using the airport. The trial will help us
understand the needs of travellers using the system so as to allow further
fine-tuning should we decide to implement it on a larger scale." |
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"SIA pursues excellence in service not only on
board our flights, but on the ground too. So we are pleased, in cooperation
with CAAS and ICA, to offer frequent travellers the convenience and speed of a
personalized one-step automated process for clearing immigration formalities
with the FAST facility. This is a good example of the application of new
technology to provide user benefits without compromising security and
effectiveness," said Mr Chew Choon Seng, SIA Chief Executive Officer. |
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Mr Lock Wai Han, Commissioner, ICA said, "As our
country's first line of defence, our checkpoints have a vital role to play in
ensuring the safety and security of Singapore. FAST system is an example of
how Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) works with our strategic
partners to leverage on new technologies to enhance checkpoint security and
service." |
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The FAST trial is supported by a
Singapore-government sponsored programme called The Enterprise Challenge,
which was introduced in 2000 to provide funding and test-beds for innovations
that improve public services. |
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Source:
Ministry of Home Affairs Press Release 25
Nov 2004 |
Changi Airport tests automated check-in & immigration
clearance system
