Fiumicino airport continues to focus on technology for the safety and comfort of passengers. The new system for the acceptance and boarding of travellers was launched today which, through biometric identification of the face, will make their transit at the airport easier, faster and safer. The project, in partnership with Delta Air Lines and in collaboration with Sita, a global supplier of technologies for the air transport sector, involves the installation, in certain areas of the airport, of devices capable of detecting the biometric characteristics of the passengers’ faces to ensure identification by temporarily acquiring the information contained in the identification documents and on boarding passes.

The Project is part of a broader Aeroporti di Roma strategy that focuses on digitalisation, safety, innovation and environmental sustainability.  In addition to biometrics, ADR is carrying out various initiatives and partnerships in the field of innovation, including first of all the creation in the coming months of the first Italian incubator dedicated to the aviation sector.

The operation of biometrics is simple, fast, safe and is currently reserved for passengers on Delta flights departing from Fiumicino airport to the United States. A multimedia interactive device detects the biometric characteristics of the face and electronically acquires the information contained in the passport and on the boarding passes. These data are associated with the face through appropriately prepared cameras, in full compliance with the privacy legislation. After that, it will no longer be necessary to show documents or boarding passes. No photos shall be stored. The system temporarily detects only the biometric contours of the face, which are used for passenger recognition. The same procedure is also operational in the United States, thus completing the service on both directions and thus making it the first intercontinental round-trip connection fully biometric and contactless.  Delta's novelties will be enriched with the launch of the new direct Rome-Boston connection, scheduled for departure from the beginning of August.

This system makes it possible to use dedicated lanes, simplifying the conduct of check-in procedures, security checks and boarding the plane, reducing passenger waiting times with obvious advantages on the overall quality of the travel experience, which is more value in this particular period, given that it allows for an entirely touchless process, further lowering the risk of infection from Covid-19.

 “This new feature in the Rome airport, in partnership with Delta” commented Ivan Bassato, Chief Aviation Officer di ADR, “is part of a broader strategy of Aeroporti di Roma which focuses on innovation, digitalisation and sustainability to set new standards for the airport of the future. During these months of pandemic, our goal has been to continue to offer a quality and safety experience even in a delicate and complex moment like the one we have had to face. We are moving towards an era of great innovation that will involve the entire air transport sector and we are continuing our path that sees us as system players together with the main global leaders.  The project that launches today goes exactly in this direction: to ensure the take-off of the connectivity of the future”.

"Delta” said Roberto Ioriatti, Senior Vice President  of Transatlantic & Transpacific Pricing & Revenue at Delta Air Lines - continues to lead the market with innovations that make travel an experience that our customers can’t wait to have. We were the first airline to launch a biometric terminal in the United States and thanks to this partnership with Aeroporti di Roma we are offering this technological solution as a fast and convenient option for our Italian hub passengers”.