Korean Air has introduced biometric self-boarding for the first time in Korea. Starting today, customers can pass through Korean Air’s domestic boarding gates at Seoul’s Gimpo Airport by scanning their palms, without need to present an actual boarding pass.
On Tuesday (February 8, 2022), Korean Air announced the launch of biometric self-boarding at Seoul Gimpo Airport for the first time in Korea. From today, customers can pass through Korean Air’s domestic terminal at Gimpo Airport with a scan of the palm of their hand, eliminating the need to present an actual paper or mobile boarding pass. The scanning device recognizes the passenger by matching their pre-registered palm vein information, which is unique to each person. With palm vein biometric information, which cannot be lost, stolen or duplicated, Korean Air will be able to increase efficiency and reduce boarding times, while strengthening the security of the identity verification process.
Korean Air’s new biometric self-boarding service is eligible to all Korean citizens seven years or older. In order to use the service, customers need to register their palm vein information at the self-registration desk on the departure floor of Gimpo Airport, which can be accomplished by presenting a valid ID card and providing consent for the use of their personal information. Since August 2021, Korean Air has partnered with Korea Airport Corporation in cooperation on the system buildup and testing needed to launch the biometric self-boarding system. The carrier plans on expanding the service to all domestic departure gates at Gimpo Airport by the end of 2022, and to Busan Gimhae Airport in August 2022.
Korean Air is actively implementing biometric information-based technologies, the core of IATA’s ‘One ID’ initiative, including facial recognition service provided by overseas airport authorities in Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York and Singapore. One ID is an integrated identification initiative that uses a passengers biometric information to achieve interoperable system coordination between airports, airlines and governments worldwide. Korean Air plans to continue enhancing their guest experience by expanding biometric self-boarding services both domestically and internationally.
Source: Korean Air