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Proposed UK Border Scheme Branded a ‘Gimmick’ by Unions

September 12, 2016
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Beating the queues and improving security through technology | More about passenger facilitationAs the world remembers the 15th anniversary of the tragedy that was 9/11, the latest border scheme to come out of the UK has been branded a ‘gimmick’ by staff unions, who called for increased staffing instead.

The UK Home Office has said that under the new scheme, travellers could choose to pay between £5 and £17.50 for a ‘fast-track’ passage through its borders. The proposed scheme will not be available at all airports, and will be trialled at Gatwick airport, leaving skeptics in some doubt that current staffing levels will be sufficient to cope with the different lanes. Concerns have also been raised for passengers who will not be willing to pay being left facing longer delays than they were before.

Branding the proposal as ‘ridiculous’, a spokesperson for the Public and Commercial Services union said, ‘This is a ridiculous idea that exposes just how understaffed our borders are. What happens if everyone opts to pay £5? We’re back to square one. Instead of gimmicks like this, the Government needs to properly invest in staff to work at ports and airports because the shortages are there for all to see.’

Nick Trend, consumer expert for Telegraph Travel said, ‘This confirms a growing trend of airports charging for services which should be efficient and free,’ following news that some UK airports already charge for a fast-track service. Continuing, he said, ‘The risk from the consumer point of view is that airports deliberately allow the queues to build up so that frustrated passengers feel the only way to have a decent experience of the airport is to pay more for the privilege.’

Technology is in place to streamline passenger facilitation and processing in an increasing number of airports around the world. Strengthening border control is of paramount importance in a world that has seen dramatic improvements since 9/11. Border technology providers, such as Rockwell Collins’ ARINC airports, aim to improve passenger flow with Common Use Identity Management – using integrated systems to increase airport resource management, security and passenger experience.

UK Borders Scheme Failure Criticised

December 10, 2015
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UK Borders Security Scheme Criticised | Business Aviation NewsThe UK’s Home Office has been openly criticised this week over the e-borders scheme, which was besieged by problems since it was launched in 2003, last year ending its current form, which proved to be completely ineffective.

The borders scheme, costing around £830 million originally intended to collect passenger data and perform analysis on all travellers arriving at and leaving the UK’s airports and seaports.

Many of the criticisms are regarding not only the spending acceleration of the project, but also its failure to meet its targets, with an estimated 20% of booking data being collected, compared to the 100% original target figure. Advance Passenger Information collection in September of this year was at 86%.

The original contract for the provision of the e-borders technology was cancelled, and a subsequent £150 million settlement was paid out-of-court.

While the system has been upgraded, the original e-borders scheme is way overdue, with an estimated completion date now set at around 2019, eight years past the intended deadline.

E-borders technology improvements all over the world are proving successful in the ability to track the movements of terror suspects and to minimise the risks to national security. The latest developments offer solutions using biometric data and self check in.

The UK Home Office maintain that despite the delays and problems with the implementation of the new e-borders system, all arrivals on UK shores are checked against national watch lists.

AVSEC 2015 Opens with Emirates CEO – ‘Aviation Security Must Keep Pace’

October 12, 2015
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Providers of technology solutions for aviation security and biometric passenger screeningThe Aviation Security Symposium and Awards (AVSEC) opening convocation in Dubai began with a warning from Emirates CEO, Sir Tim Clark, that both airlines and security professionals must keep pace by working together in the face of ever-increasing and sophisticated threats to global aviation.

Sir Clark said that ‘If the threats have changed, then so must the management of these threats,’ speaking of the 9/11 terror attacks and the issue of reliance of metal and x-ray detectors to screen passengers and cargo, making the assumption that security ‘has been enforced.’

While technological solutions are improving across the world, particularly in the area of biometrics screening, Clark also stressed that training and education of both professionals and the public about security threats is key to maintaining safety.

Dominican Republic Upgrade Airport Systems to Enhance Security

September 25, 2015
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Airport Systems for Passenger Processing | Business Aviation NewsAs countries all over the world look to make improvements to passenger processing and border security, the Dominican Republic now joins them as the latest country to subscribe to the Advance Passenger Information System.

Rockwell Collins are to provide a new border control system for the Dominican Republic in a new agreement that includes secure airport messaging and DCS integration.

Rockwell Collins’ ARINC solutions have long been at the forefront of airport security, with products that range from information management and IT integration to turnkey automated border security systems including eGates.

Automated Passenger Processing is the Future

September 5, 2015
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Automated Passenger Screening Technology ProvidersAll over the world, automated passenger processing and pre-processing of travellers is streamlining the way we move through airports. Physical interaction with airport personnel is reducing as an increasing number of airports move towards automation.

While the threat of terrorism is still on the increase, automated passenger processing is still a growing requirement, and many believe that aviation security is only benefitting from automation and the use of passenger screening and processing technology.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has estimated that numbers of worldwide airline passengers will reach more than 7 billion by 2034 and automated passenger processing and security will be the only way to efficiently handle such volume.

Security Technologies to be Implemented in Western US

August 13, 2015
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Other Security Technology ProvidersAn upgrade of western US’s airports and ports is to be deployed as part of the TSA’s mission to reinforce the security of national transport systems.

In a contract worth up to $450 million across western, eastern and Central America, the TSA mean to strengthen security under the Transportation Security Equipment Deployment Services (TEDS) project.

Lockheed Martin have received a contract for the western US and will install security technology equipment in several areas, covering airports, ports, cargo facilities and terminals.

All across the globe, borders are being strengthened and facility security providers are becoming ever-busier, as governments and agencies strive to install the latest that the security technology sector has to offer.

Biometric Passport Control for Barcelona’s El Prat Airport

August 7, 2015
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Find Out More About Biometric Airport Solutions In a bid to speed up and tighten passenger processing, as many airports around the world are, Barcelona El Prat Airport have implemented the latest technology with biometric passport control that includes fingerprint and facial recognition features.

Biometric and automated border control systems function with the use of ePassports and e-ID cards and are designed to increase passenger processing time while strengthening security and integrate with other airport systems. Many such improvements in Europe are co-financed by the European Commission as part of a ‘Smart Borders Programme’.

Barcelona’ El Prat airport will now join many other Spanish airports, including Palma de Mallorca, Malaga and Alicante with the implementation of their new system.

Mactan Cebu International Upgrades Passenger Processing

July 4, 2015
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Find out more about Rockwell Collins' ARINC passenger processing solutionsThe Philippines plan to streamline the passenger processing system for their Mactan Cebu International Airport by implementing a range of Rockwell Collins’ ARINC airport solutions.

Among the upgrades will be the installation of ARINC VeriPax on the Gunnebo Security Group automated gates in a collaboration between the two companies. This will enhance security with an automatic validation of passenger flight details at check-in.

The airport already uses ARINC vMUSE common-use technology and self-service check-in kiosks.

Biometric eBorders Technology for Emirates Airports

February 3, 2015
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Biometric eBorders Solutions ProvidersLast week saw a deal signed with French biometric security firm, Morpho (Safran) and the UAE for a range of biometric eBorders technology solutions to be installed in the Emirates’ biggest international airports.

The first installations will take place at Abu Dhabi airport this year, followed by four other airports to create a fully integrated multi-biometric border control system across the UAE.

There will be 96 e-Gates and 94 e-Counters, which will help to expedite passenger processing with the inclusion of touchless fingerprinting, iris and facial recognition systems.

Biometric eBorders technology is a fast-paced industry, embracing enhancements and developing more efficient and effective ways to manage a growing passenger throughput. The need for solutions to manage international borders efficiently, yet maintain security is critical. As threats to national security increase all over the world, the pressure upon governments and border security agencies also intensifies.

Governments and agencies must be able to screen passenger information swiftly and data such as Advance Passenger Information must be transmitted securely. eBorders systems are able to handle critical aviation messaging in addition to the physical screening of passengers in airports.

Biometric eBorders solutions could be the answer to streamlining the entire border management system and must eventually be integrated on a global scale.

New eBorders Technology Installed in Bulgarian Airports

January 18, 2015
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Other Leading Providers of eBorders TechnologyThe Bulgarian government has co-financed eBorders technology at three airports across the country in an effort to enhance border security. The new automated border control in now in operation at Fraport AG and eGates in Varna and Burgas.

Passengers with machine-readable passports can now pass through the eBorders technology and be scanned via facial recognition software. The system is designed to expedite passenger processing systems and enhance efficiency, while maintaining border security control.

Self-service technology is expanding across the world’s busiest airports and with numbers seeing an increase of an average of 5% every year, airports, governments and border security agencies are searching for solutions to speed up the process, yet tighten security across a country’s borders.

eBorders technology is intelligent and can relay information at a faster rate. Using self-service solutions also gives passengers a greater sense of control over their journey and can maximise operational productivity for airlines and airports.