Airport introduces facial recognition service for boarding

The Macau International Airport has launched the “MIA One ID” smart security and boarding services, using facial recognition for passengers aged 11 and above holding electronic travel documents.

Passengers can enroll for the “MIA One ID” smart security and boarding services at check-in counters, self-check-in kiosks, or e-security gates.

Since the launch, queuing time has significantly improved, and passengers are now able to complete security checks within two minutes without the need for open hand luggage checks or body searches, and can complete self-service boarding processes.

This upgrade included area renovations, procurement of security equipment, and the installation of the “Easy Boarding” smart security and boarding system, with an investment of over MOP43 million.

After renovation, the overall security screening space has been expanded by about half its size, and the current phase includes eight self-service security gates and nine self-service boarding gates.

Check-in and baggage drop-off, travel document, and boarding pass information is initially registered to generate an identifier to use the “Easy Boarding” service.

Passengers can then pass through pre-security by scanning their face before proceeding to the central security screening. Upon reaching the boarding gate, passengers only need to scan their face at the camera of the self-service boarding system. After successful identity verification, they can board the aircraft.

Those who want to opt out of using the service can simply select the option on the screen during initial check-in.

Stanley Lau, the head of the airport operations division, stated, “The ‘Easy Boarding’ service adds a registration step to our traditional check-in process. Passengers complete this action seamlessly during registration. Afterward, they can smoothly pass through the pre-security gates and boarding gates using facial recognition, significantly improving passage flow and reducing the time by about half compared to before.” Ricaela Diputado