Star Alliance launches touchless biometric technology at Frankfurt and Munich hubs

Star Alliance has completed development of what it calls “an interoperable biometric identity and identification platform” that it says will significantly improve the travel experience for its frequent flyers.

According to the airline group, the Star Alliance Biometrics platform advances the ability of member airlines to deliver a seamless customer journey, while strengthening loyalty value proposition within its travel ecosystem.

Lufthansa Group (LHG) airlines, Lufthansa (a founding member of Star Alliance) and SWISS will be the first to use Star Alliance Biometrics for selected flights starting in November.

Specific infrastructure is being installed at hub airports Frankfurt and Munich, reaping operational benefits at both locations.

Members of the Lufthansa and SWISS Miles & More Frequent Flyer Programme who opt-in to biometrics will be able to pass through both security access and boarding gates in a touchless manner, an important health and hygiene safety measure in times of COVID-19.

In keeping with the requirement to wear masks in the airport terminal, it is not required to remove the mask for the biometric identity check. The identification process works for passengers wearing masks.

The biometrics system is built upon NEC Corporation’s NEC I:Delight biometric and identity management platform software.

The secure service is available at no cost to customers of the Miles & More programme who have consented to share their biometric data with stakeholders of their choice during travel.

Jeffrey Goh, CEO of Star Alliance, enthuses: “We are exceedingly proud to have founding member Lufthansa as the first airline to implement the Star Alliance Biometrics solution in both of its Frankfurt and Munich Airport hubs.

“This is a customer-centric solution that furthers our credentials in innovation, particularly its multi-airline and multi-airport capability. Whilst it offers a seamless customer travel experience, it is also a critical development that addresses the expectation of customers for a more touchless and hygienically safer experience.

“Star Alliance Biometrics is a key part of our strategy to be the most digitally advanced global airline alliance.”

Fraport AG board member, Dr Pierre Dominique Prümm, says: “Optimising travel processes for passengers is our top priority at Frankfurt Airport, and biometric processes offer our customers numerous advantages.

“Star Alliance Biometrics now creates a more efficient and – especially important in today’s times – touchless passenger journey, which offers greater security as well as more comfort and less waiting time.

“We are proud to be one of the first airports worldwide to offer this pioneering technology for boarding pass control and individual gates in Terminal 1 – Area A, together with our most important customers Star Alliance and Lufthansa. In the coming weeks and months we will gradually expand the range – also to new process points such as baggage drop-off.”