Air Canada is introducing facial recognition technology for boarding at Vancouver International Airport, allowing passengers to board without physical IDs. The initiative is voluntary and builds on a pilot program from February 2023. Concerns regarding privacy and job implications have been raised, but the airline stresses data encryption and short retention periods.
Air Canada is set to implement facial recognition technology at its gates, becoming the first Canadian airline to do so to enhance the boarding process. Starting Tuesday, passengers on most domestic flights from Vancouver International Airport can board without providing physical identification like passports or licenses. This initiative is voluntary, allowing participants to upload their photo and passport information via the airline’s app.
The facial recognition program, which began as a pilot project in February 2023, is already live at Maple Leaf lounges in Toronto, Calgary, and San Francisco, with plans to expand to more Canadian airport gates soon. Canadian airlines have generally been slow in adopting biometric technologies, while such systems have already been implemented by several U.S. carriers, foreign airports, and government agencies.
Delta Air Lines has allowed select passengers at Atlanta and Detroit airports to check bags, go through security, and board flights using facial recognition since 2021, and expanded this technology to Los Angeles and New York City in the previous year. In Europe, Frankfurt Airport has permitted all airlines to utilize facial biometrics since 2023, allowing boardings without physical IDs after its initial 2020 introduction.
The rise of this software, which uses face analysis for identification, has prompted discussions about privacy and ethical implications. Concerns include data management and potential job reductions due to automation replacing human gate agents.
John Gradek, an aviation management instructor at McGill University, expressed concerns about data privacy and control. He noted that the deployment of such technology in Canada is cautious, reflecting ongoing scrutiny around its implications.
Air Canada ensures passenger data is encrypted during processing and is used strictly for digital ID purposes. The airline commits to deleting personal information from its systems 36 hours post-departure. “In terms of privacy, that consideration has been at the forefront of the development of this technology and something that is very important to Air Canada,” said spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick. The technology is not interconnected with government services like Nexus, which expedites border crossing for pre-approved travelers.
Air Canada’s introduction of facial recognition technology represents a significant advancement in streamlining the boarding process, with an emphasis on voluntary participation and data privacy. As the airline expands this program across Canada, it will need to navigate privacy concerns and the potential impact on employment in the aviation sector. The commitment to secure data management is crucial in reinforcing public trust in these technologies.
Original Source: globalnews.ca
