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Bengaluru airport‘s Terminal 2 has gained recognition both domestically and internationally, often drawing comparisons to Singapore’s Changi Airport. While such comparisons may seem ambitious, the terminal has notably excelled in the realm of technology. Digi Yatra, a widely successful initiative implemented across Indian airports, was first conceptualized and put into practice by Bengaluru airport’s technology team.
A recent TOI report quoted George Fanthome, the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Bengaluru International Airport Ltd (BIAL) saying that the idea originated from CEO Hari Marar. The airport conducted a pilot of Digi Yatra in 2019, allowing passengers to register at a kiosk and verify their biometrics, enabling seamless passage through terminal entry points, security, and boarding gates.
Ensuring accurate matching of a flyer’s biometrics to the database of 50,000 to 100,000 passengers entering within a 24 hour time frame posed a challenge for George’s team. False positives were a significant concern due to their potential risks. While false negatives were manageable as passengers could provide documents to the CISF to verify their identity, false positives were deemed hazardous.
Also Read | Bengaluru Airport’s Terminal 2 now amongst ‘world’s most beautiful airports’; check stunning facts & images
The team focused on developing a highly accurate system while prioritizing data privacy. To address privacy concerns, the system was designed to delete all data every 24 hours. George said that constant audits are conducted to ensure passenger data is not retained.
After refining the process for over a year, BIAL presented the system to the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The ministry appreciated the concept’s potential, especially its ability to register once and use across multiple airports. Suresh Khadakbhavi, CEO of Digi Yatra Foundation, was part of their team, said George.
A pilot project is underway to utilize verified biometrics for self-check-in baggage at airport kiosks. George foresees biometrics playing a pivotal role in streamlining various passenger processes, enhancing their experience.
He mentioned ongoing government efforts to integrate passports with biometrics, aiming to facilitate seamless immigration for international travelers. The need to take out physical passports may reduce to stamping purposes only.
However, George acknowledges the challenge of persuading multiple airport stakeholders, including CISF responsible for security, about the benefits of tech solutions. “Travel is a stressful event for everybody for multiple reasons, so we want to make it as seamless as possible,” he said.
Travellers often stress about whether their luggage will safely reach their destination. George suggests using technology to track luggage placement in the correct aircraft before takeoff, providing reassurance to passengers.
Efforts are underway to offer personalized services to passengers. By integrating facial recognition with flight information, the airport aims to create individual digital assistants for travellers. These assistants could offer flight updates, suggest less crowded entry gates, and provide personalized services like meal preferences.
Additionally, the airport is exploring the potential of facial recognition-based payments, akin to the Amazon Go model, allowing passengers to authorize transactions using facial recognition technology.
A recent TOI report quoted George Fanthome, the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Bengaluru International Airport Ltd (BIAL) saying that the idea originated from CEO Hari Marar. The airport conducted a pilot of Digi Yatra in 2019, allowing passengers to register at a kiosk and verify their biometrics, enabling seamless passage through terminal entry points, security, and boarding gates.
Ensuring accurate matching of a flyer’s biometrics to the database of 50,000 to 100,000 passengers entering within a 24 hour time frame posed a challenge for George’s team. False positives were a significant concern due to their potential risks. While false negatives were manageable as passengers could provide documents to the CISF to verify their identity, false positives were deemed hazardous.
Also Read | Bengaluru Airport’s Terminal 2 now amongst ‘world’s most beautiful airports’; check stunning facts & images
The team focused on developing a highly accurate system while prioritizing data privacy. To address privacy concerns, the system was designed to delete all data every 24 hours. George said that constant audits are conducted to ensure passenger data is not retained.
After refining the process for over a year, BIAL presented the system to the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The ministry appreciated the concept’s potential, especially its ability to register once and use across multiple airports. Suresh Khadakbhavi, CEO of Digi Yatra Foundation, was part of their team, said George.
A pilot project is underway to utilize verified biometrics for self-check-in baggage at airport kiosks. George foresees biometrics playing a pivotal role in streamlining various passenger processes, enhancing their experience.
He mentioned ongoing government efforts to integrate passports with biometrics, aiming to facilitate seamless immigration for international travelers. The need to take out physical passports may reduce to stamping purposes only.
However, George acknowledges the challenge of persuading multiple airport stakeholders, including CISF responsible for security, about the benefits of tech solutions. “Travel is a stressful event for everybody for multiple reasons, so we want to make it as seamless as possible,” he said.
Travellers often stress about whether their luggage will safely reach their destination. George suggests using technology to track luggage placement in the correct aircraft before takeoff, providing reassurance to passengers.
Efforts are underway to offer personalized services to passengers. By integrating facial recognition with flight information, the airport aims to create individual digital assistants for travellers. These assistants could offer flight updates, suggest less crowded entry gates, and provide personalized services like meal preferences.
Additionally, the airport is exploring the potential of facial recognition-based payments, akin to the Amazon Go model, allowing passengers to authorize transactions using facial recognition technology.
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