What
A new poll from NEC Corporation of America shows that frequent fliers are embracing the use of facial recognition technology to improve security and reduce time spent waiting in lines.
Why It Matters
The survey found that 75 percent of respondents favor the use of facial recognition to identify both foreign and domestic travelers, and some 87 percent report that they approve of the use of facial recognition to identify criminals and terrorists and protect the air travel system. As an estimated 257 million air travelers are expected to fly this summer, clients want a travel experience that is easy, streamlined and secure.
Fast Facts
- Survey respondents cite security and check-in lines as their top annoyances.
- More than 71 percent are willing to pay a $10 fee to bypass lines.
- More than 84 percent say they would opt-in to an “airport of the future” that used facial recognition to speed travel through the airport by reducing the need to stop and show paper documents for bag drop, check in, security and boarding.
- Nearly 78 percent report that they are aware of facial recognition technology currently in use at airports for international travelers entering and exiting the country, while 48 percent know of the biometric programs being implemented by airlines.
- Those polled say they would like to see facial recognition improve the following aspects of their travel journey: booking a ticket (60%), renting a car (56%), checking into a hotel (52%), customized signage in the airport (47%), making a purchase at the airport (21%) and customized outdoor ads (9%).
- The survey was conducted online between May 6 and June 14, 2019, and polled 1,955 frequent fliers. Survey respondents are self-identified members of frequent flier programs, including those of at least three of the top major airlines operating in the U.S. Nearly a quarter of respondents said they take more than 10 flights per year.
What They Are Saying
“There’s a need to balance security and efficiency in the travel environment,” said David Fuscus, President of Xenophon Strategies, which conducted the commissioned survey on behalf of NEC Corporation of America (NEC), a leading provider of biometric and artificial intelligence solutions. “Facial recognition technology is working in airports around the world to address both problems at the same time. Airlines are reporting that they can board jumbo jets in about a third less time by using face recognition at the gate. Meanwhile, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports they have been able to stop more than 100 imposters trying to enter the country on false documents. These successes would not have happened — and will not continue to happen — without facial recognition.”
“There is enormous interest in facial recognition technology in the U.S. from airports, airlines, hotels, rental car agencies and an array of other providers in the smart travel industry,” added Raffie Beroukhim, senior vice president of advanced recognition systems for NEC. “This growth is fueled by positive feedback from travelers who are pleased with the experience and added sense of security they get from using biometric technology, as well as the efficiency experienced by the airlines. This survey reinforces the feedback we consistently get when the technology is launched at a new airport.”
The Details
NEC Corporation of America
www.necam.com
Xenophon Strategies
www.xenophonstrategies.com
