SINGAPORE AIRPORT has introduced what is claimed to be the world”s first fully automated check-in and immigration clearance system that uses biometric recognition technology. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Singapore Airlines (SIA) and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) are jointly conducting a six-month trial of a system that combines the check-in and immigration processes into one. It”s called FAST (fully automated seamless travel). As with most airports travellers departing Changi go through departure formalities at three different locations before arriving in the departure area. Airline check-in counter (to obtain boarding pass and seat allocation), police check before entering the departure immigration hall, and the immigration counter itself (for passport verification). The FAST passenger will be issued with a card containing a microchip that has captured his facial features and fingerprint details. Authentication of his identity will be done at a one-stop kiosk in the FAST lane, where the traveller can check-in, select seat onboard, collect his boarding pass and clear immigration from a user-friendly interactive touch-screen monitor.
http://www.changi.airport.com.sg