The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is considering allowing the use of RFID technology for air travel. A final decision is expected this Autumn.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) lets data be saved to and read from a chip contactless. In civilian aviation, the technology would add flexibility, security, and comfort for passengers and airlines. Technology company Giesecke & Devrient (G&D), in conjunction with the software supplier Silverstroke, has developed a package solution for passenger processing on the basis of RFID and biometrics. This will cover every aspect from check in to requesting information and up to boarding. G&D and Silverstroke will present this development at the Boeing and Airbus Progress and Requirements on RFID event in Ettlingen, Germany on October 17, 2005.
The infrastructure developed by G&D and Silverstroke combines existing solutions from RFID, biometrics, and various consumer devices into one complete, new package solution. G&D is providing the card applications for contactless technology as well as biometrics, Silverstroke is supplying the software system.
Instead of a normal airline ticket, the passenger will receive a dual-interface card, a smart card that can transmit data via contact or contactless. To simplify and speed up check in procedures, the card owners fingerprint can also be saved on the card. All passenger transactions, from check in to boarding, will be processed with the smart card or, optionally, a fingerprint.
The passenger can use contactless technology at the information booth to easily and quickly get information on his flight, check in status, or the way to the gate. A timed system will let the passenger call up the information he needs at that point. For example, if a passenger has latency between connections, he can check out the shopping possibilities at the airport. Once the passenger has arrived at his destination he can get information on renting a car.
Finally, processes using RFID and biometrics open up the possibility of mobile boarding. With PDAs or NFC mobile phones, for example, ground personnel can read tickets flexibly anywhere. Passengers and airline personnel will profit from the use of biometrics and RFID technology in civilian aviation in a variety of ways. The quickness and flexibility of the technology will considerably speed up the processing of passengers, adding to the comfort of the passengers and personnel. Furthermore, the possibility of mobile checks is an indispensable innovation for airport security since suspicious persons can be checked at any time throughout the airport, said Dr. Andreas Schauer, Business Development Manager at Giesecke & Devrient.
The individual components in the package solution from G&D and Silverstroke are compatible and can be adapted to each other if necessary. For the first time, airlines will be able to adjust their services to the individual status of the passenger. For example, it would be possible to offer frequent fliers the flexibility and comfort of complete passenger processing using biometric identification.
Related links to this article: European Aviation Safety Agency e-Government National Awards 2005: Judging is now underway
Nominations have now closed in 11 categories in the e-Government National Awards 2005, and entry is free. The Awards recognise and praise the best strategies, achievements, teams and individuals in UK e-Government. The Awards will be presented at a prestigious dinner at the Savoy in London.
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