Journal: TWUK | Section: |
Title: | Issue Date: 08/10/01 |
Author: | Page Number: 55 |
Copyright: Other |
Security measures
Renewed pressure is being placed on airlines, airport authorities and governments to invest in new high-techpassenger-screeningprocedures as airportsecurity is tightenedworldwide.
Speaking after theterrorist attacks in the US, International Air Transport Association spokesman William Gaillard said the events highlighted the need for more modern technology to identify passengersboarding aircraft.
He said biotech systems developed in the US, which use palm print or irisrecognition, provided more secure methods thanpassport and photoidentification.
One of the systems, called EyePass, is used to control staff access at Charlotte Airport in North Carolina.
A Heathrow spokeswoman said the trials, which were due to start the week of the US disaster, have beensuspended but will start again before the end of the year.
The trial will involve around 2,000 North Americanfrequent flyers on British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, who have been enrolled and pre-cleared by the UK immigration service, and who will simply look into a video camera after disembarking at Heathrow to speed up the arrivals process.
The eyes have it: irisrecognition will be used as an added security measure