JFKIAT, the operator of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, the airport’s busiest international terminal, today announced the launch of biometric boarding capabilities at several gates throughout the terminal. The installation of facial recognition technology is the latest step in JFKIAT’s commitment to offer the more than 21 million passengers that pass through the terminal each year a safer, more efficient way to travel.

Beginning this week, biometric boarding is now available at 27 international gates throughout the terminal, leveraging facial recognition technology that ultimately will replace manual identification for faster boarding, quicker flight clearance, and an enhanced passenger experience. As the first step in implementing a seamless curb to gate travel experience at the terminal, JFKIAT plans to continue to work with its airline partners as well as Customs & Border Protection (CBP) to align on future opportunities to further expand facial recognition capabilities within T4.

“At T4, we are always looking for ways to better serve our customers by integrating the latest innovations into our operations to further ensure a flawless travel experience,” said Roel Huinink, President and CEO of JFKIAT. “We are excited to launch biometric boarding as an advanced tool to help improve the safety and security of our customers and the T4 community. We look forward to continuing our work with CBP to deploy this innovative technology in new ways in the future.”

The implementation of biometric boarding capabilities is JFKIAT’s latest effort to drive innovation and promote a strong safety and security culture within T4. Earlier this year, T4 was the first terminal in New York to offer Aira Access, providing passengers who are blind or have low vision with instant access to enhanced visual information and real-time service to navigate the terminal. In 2018, T4 launched a new Security Operations Center, integrating cutting edge technology to keep the 70,000 daily passengers and 13,000 employees safe and secure. The terminal also recently welcomed CLEAR, which allows travelers to verify their identity and get to their flights with the tap of a finger or blink of an eye.