Thai Airways to trial biometric check-in at Suvarnabhumi Airport
Airports of Thailand (AOT) chose flag carrier Thai Airways to trial a new biometric check-in service at Suvarnabhumi Airport, starting on their Bangkok – Singapore route.
AOT hopes that bolstering facial recognition technology will streamline the check-in process and reduce waiting times.
From now until April 30, passengers on daily THAI flight TG409 from Bangkok to Singapore can check in by simply looking at a camera.
During check-in, passengers’ faces will be photographed and their identity will be confirmed using an automated Passenger Validation service. The trial has already gained passenger consent, the airline said.
Passengers may check in at counters D9-12 or automated check-in machines 63-64 (Common Use Self Service Kiosk) and check in their luggage via the Common Use Bag Drop number E14.
If the trial deems the technology accurate and convenient, biometric check-in could become the new norm at Thailand’s airports.
AirCanada is also launching face biometrics, becoming the first airline in the country to offer customers facial recognition technology for digital identification.
Suvarnabhumi Airport recently gained PVS, or passenger validation systems, to scan boarding passes more efficiently, “to ensure that passenger screening process is fast and accurate, and prevent unauthorised persons from entering restricted or flight-controlled areas.”
Thai Airways caused a stir this week after cabin crew on a flight from Singapore to Bangkok after a TikTok video exposed the cabin crew’s violation of international aviation standards by forgetting to collect meal trays from some passengers prior to landing.
The airline has since taken responsibility for the incident and punished those responsible…
“Thai Airways International would like to announce the results of our investigation into the case of cabin crew not storing away meal trays before landing on a Singapore – Bangkok flight. The investigation found that the cabin crew neglected their duties.
“Therefore, we will punish those responsible for this incident according to company procedures – by docking their salary and suspending them from flying for one month.
“THAI also punished both the flight manager and cabin crew with a written warning stating that everyone involved is required to attend intensive safety training courses immediately before the company allows them to continue their duties.
“The company would like to apologise for the incident and assure all passengers that the company holds passenger safety to the utmost importance, including undertaking all flight operations in according with the highest safety standards.”
