KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 6 — AirAsia made history today as the first airline in Malaysia and the continent to utilise facial recognition system at its self-boarding gate at Senai International Airport in Johor Baru.
In a press statement, the budget carrier said the “Fast Airport Clearance Experience System” (FACES) allows passengers to have a seamless travel experience from check-in to boarding using the latest biometric facial recognition technology.
“Fully owned and operated by AirAsia, FACES uses facial recognition technology to identify enrolled guests as they approach the automated boarding gate, allowing them to board their flight without having to present any travel documents,” the statement said.
It was launched by Home Affairs Deputy Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, Johor Tourism Exco Chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong, Senai Airport Terminal Services CEO Md Derick Basir and AirAsia Deputy Group CEO (Digital, Transformation, Corporate Services) Aireen Omar.
The company’s group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said that FACES marks the carrier’s latest effort to make the on-ground experience more seamless and less stressful by using cutting edge biometric technology to authenticate passengers.
“With FACES, your face is your passport, making it a breeze to clear the gate and board your flight,” he said in the statement.
MMC Corporation Bhd Group Managing Director Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh praised the initiative saying it will enhance travelling experience and airport operations efficiency including faster security and screening process in light of their expected 16 per cent passenger traffic growth this year.
AirAsia passengers who wish to be part of FACES may do so using a dedicated enrolment kiosk located at the check-in kiosk area at Senai International Airport.
All they need to do is place their MyKad or chip-enabled passport in the document reader and look at the camera to create their biometric token.
The enrolment is a one-time process, after which guests may use AirAsia’s biometric gates for all flights as long as their identity document remains valid. It is available for passengers above 18 years old.
Upon expiry of the identity document, passengers will need to update the enrolment record with a new valid document. Enrolled passengers will also benefit from an expedited process at the security checkpoint, in addition to boarding the flight seamlessly.
