AirAsia launches facial recognition system to ease boarding process08 Feb 2018, by theSundaily
Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed registers with Faces user at an enrollment kiosk, while AirAsia Group deputy CEO (digital, transformation, corporate services) Aireen Omar looks on at Senai International Airport on Feb 6, 2018. — Sunpix by Low Sock Ken
SENAI: The Home Ministry is mulling using AirAsia's Fast Airport Clearance Experience System (Faces) – which employs facial recognition technology – at airports nationwide.
Faces, which is owned and operated by AirAsia, uses the technology to identify registered passengers as they approach automated boarding gates, allowing them to board flights without presenting any travel documents.
"The Immigration Department is monitoring the system's implementation and I hope Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) and AirAsia can discuss rolling out this system at other airports," said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed during the launch of Faces at Senai International Airport here today.
"The system will complement existing security systems at airports in the country for enhanced safety and security," he added.
AirAsia group Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said with the system AirAsia aims to transform the on-ground experience, while speeding up security clearance and the boarding process in a step towards digitising its airline operations.
"With Faces, your face is your passport (boarding pass), making a breeze to clear the gate and board your flight," he said in a statement.
Also present at the event were Johor Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumerism committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong, AirAsia Group Deputy CEO (digital, transformation, corporate services) Aireen Omar and Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd CEO Md Derick Basir.
Nur Jazlan however cautioned all companies to ensure that any personal data obtained through these services is not leaked to other parties.
Responding to Nur Jazlan's comment, Aireen said: "It is our responsibility to ensure the personal data in this system is used only for self-checking and boarding, it is safe and the data will not be leaked."
She said the company had invested RM300,000 into Faces, and had completed a month's trial period where 3,000 people had used the system without problems.
The system launched today is in its first phase and is only used for domestic flights.