CBP to deploy facial recognition biometric exit technology at the Miami International Airport

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently announced the deployment of facial recognition biometric exit technology at the Miami International Airport for select flights.

“Through our consultations with the airlines and airport stakeholders, and based on the success of several pilots, CBP determined that facial recognition was a viable exit solution,” John Wagner, deputy executive assistant commissioner in the Office of Field Operations, said.

Using flight manifests, the new biometric system compiles flight-specific photo galleries using photographs each traveler provides to the airline. CBP officers then compare the document photo to a live photo taken prior to boarding to ensure that each individual is the true bearer of their travel documents.

If the in-person photograph is matched to a U.S. passport, thereby confirming that the passenger is a U.S. citizen, the picture is deemed out-of-scope for biometric exit purposes and discarded after a short period of time.

Both JetBlue and Delta Airlines announced collaborations with CBP to integrate facial recognition technology as part of their boarding processes. Specifically, JetBlue is testing facial recognition technology at Boston’s Logan International Airport that allows passengers to board without scanning a boarding pass while Delta is testing eGates at New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

“With the expansion of this technology we will be looking at different flights, airports, lighting conditions, and internal IT configurations to demonstrate to our stakeholders that this solution is flexible, reliable and easy for travelers to use,” Wagner said.

The Miami deployment builds upon similar biometric exit technology installations at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the John F. Kennedy International Airport, the Washington-Dulles International Airport, Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, and Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport.