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Vancouver Airport Authority updates BorderXpress kiosks with biometric technology

May 28, 2014

Vancouver Airport Authority has upgraded its BorderXpress kiosks with biometric technology from Cross Match Technologies. The Authority is a not-for-profit organization that manages Vancouver International Airport in Vancouver, Canada.

Developed by Vancouver Airport Authority, the BorderXpress kiosk for Automated Passport Control system is currently available at 10 airport locations. However, earlier versions of the kiosk can only be used by U.S. and Canadian passport-holders.

The biometric upgrade to Vancouver Airport Authority’s BorderXpress kiosks enables international travellers with Electronic System for Travel Authorization approval to use BorderXpress. The enhanced system accepts eligible travellers from 38 countries who are not required to have U.S. entry visas. These countries include Australia, Japan, Germany and the U.K.

Vancouver Airport Authority says that the BorderXpress kiosks’ scanner technology reads travellers’ fingerprints from many angles, while being able to detect fingerprints regardless of wetness or dryness of the finger — often an issue with earlier generation technology

Currently, Vancouver International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport have the enhanced BorderXpress APC kiosks.

“By expanding our Automated Passport Control capabilities to include travellers from visa-waiver countries, we are continuing to help airports modernize for improved efficiency and customer satisfaction.” Craig Richmond, Vancouver Airport Authority’s president and CEO, said in a statement.

North American and European airports will drive a global APC Kiosk market of nearly 8,000 units and more than $550 million in revenues by 2018, reflecting a 22 percent CAGR over five years, according to Acuity Market Intelligence’s report "The Global Automated Border Control Industry Report: Airport eGates and Kiosks."

"Currently, fewer than 400 APC kiosks have been deployed at 13 airports in the U.S. and Canada," Maxine Most, a principal at Acuity Market Intelligence, said in a statement. "APC kiosk numbers will grow rapidly as they migrate globally to Europe, Asia and the Middle East.”