Norwegian to test Biometric Boarding as first airline globally

 

Norwegian have contracted Braathens IT Solutions and Genkey to develop solutions for faster and more secure boarding. In the period 3-14 November Norwegian will test boarding using next generation biometrics on selected departures from Moss Airport Rygge.

Norwegian extends its investment in biometric self service kiosks, and have chosen Braathens IT Solutions, a provider of IT systems to the airline industry, and GenKey, a provider of biometric solutions, as partners in next generation solutions for faster and more secure boarding of our aircrafts.

Our target is to develop the simplest and most effective concept for our travellers. Norwegian will, as first airline globally, use "Biometric Encryption", a technology where no sensitive passenger information is stored at any time. ” We know that our customers are concerned with privacy, and this technology opens for new usages of biometrics while being privacy friendly” says Bjørn Erik Barman-Jenssen, Director Station & In-Flight Services in Norwegian.

Project Manager Lars Näppä says "We expect to be able to install the solution for production in the spring of 2009. Our passengers appreciate not to have to line up in slow queues to board our aircraft. We work hard to meet this expectation, and to provide a pleasant travel experience. Trials show that passengers value the advantages of biometric solutions". This solution satisfies government requirements to confirm that the person boarding the aircraft is identical to the one checking in luggage at the bag drop counter. The biometric solution can be combined with an automated boarding device, turnstile, to further accelerate the boarding process.

For further information: norwegian.jpg

Anne Grete Ellingsen, Director Corporate Communications, 915 37 079                                                   
Bjørn Erik Barman-Jenssen, Director Station & In-flight services, 474 63 369
Svein Bjørnstad, CEO Braathens IT Solutions, 908 55 510
Jens-Petter H. Glittenberg, CEO GenKey Embedded Technologies, 920 25 708