News

Facial recognition kiosks now greet visitors at Ottawa airport

March 21, 2017

Passengers arriving on international flights to the Ottawa, Canada airport are encouraged to use a self-serve kiosk, called a primary inspection kiosk, to speed up and streamline the arrival process, according to the CBC.

To verify a traveler's identity, the new kiosks will a take a photo and compare it to their passport picture.

Travelers can either complete an on-screen declaration at the kiosk or use the newly launched mobile app. Once downloaded, travelers can use it in airplane mode, allowing them to fill it out before they land. They will then scan their phone at a kiosk before continuing on to baggage claim.

Passengers waiting at baggage claim on Sunday applauded any process that would cut down their wait time.

Customs and Immigration Union president Jean-Pierre Fortin, who represents 10,000 frontline customs and border agents, wonders why, in 2017, the government is taking humans out of the equation.

He says his officers get 18 weeks of intensive training.