ARUBA. Aruba Airport, in partnership with Schiphol Group, has launched what it says is a world first passenger flow system designed to ease the traveller’s journey through the airport.
Aruba Happy Flow is a process in which the passenger is only required to show his or her passport once at the airport. The use of facial recognition then allows the passenger to proceed to check-in, drop off baggage, pass border control and board the aircraft, all without being asked to show a passport or boarding pass again.
The pilot scheme, according to Aruba Airport, is “unique in the world and has been designed to streamline the passenger process, making it fast and secure”. The move could be significant in enhancing commercial dwell times, potentially offering a boost to retailers.
The official launch was overseen last week by Aruban Prime Minister Mike Eman in the presence of Minister of Justice Arthur Dowers, Minister of Tourism Otmar Oduber, President & CEO Schiphol Group Jos Nijhuis, Senior Vice President KLM Security Services Ben Swagerman, CEO Aruba Airport Authority N.V. James Fazio, Senior Vice President Vision-Box Miguel Leitmann (whose company implemented the project) and other invitees.
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Under the new scheme, passengers can show their passport and travel documents just once at the airport and then proceed through all stages of the airport journey |
Prime Minister Eman said: “Happy Flow is an extremely innovative and important step in the transportation industry for passengers, not only for Aruba but worldwide. Aruba is proud to launch this unique concept by bringing together public and private parties. Happy Flow is another milestone in creating a sustainable knowledge economy in Aruba and fortifying the development of Aruba as a hub. I am satisfied with this first phase concrete result from the partnership that was formed on the initiative of Aruba with the government of the Netherlands, KLM and Schiphol to make this project possible as a prelude to the EU pre-clearance ambition of Aruba.”
Schiphol Group’s Jos Nijhuis added: “With Aruba Happy Flow, together we have made an innovative step to further improve the comfort for the passenger. This is a unique project where among others the public and private passenger processes are combined. I have high expectations of the results. If the experience and test results are positive, we will further develop this project.”
KLM’s Ben Swagerman said: “KLM is always keen on possibilities to further improve convenience for its passengers. This is why we are happy to be able to contribute to this innovative project, which will both simplify and speed up the entire process from checking in to boarding as passengers will only have to present their travel documents once.”
Aruba Airport Authority’s James Fazio said: “What has been accomplished today will have the attention of airports around the world, regardless of size. We share many of the same challenges, and today, we are leading the way in a viable and innovative solution to improving the airport experience.”
Vision Box’s Miguel Leitmann noted: “Happy Flow is the first ever 100% self-service passenger flow based on the use of biometrics to provide a secure, quick and happy experience for the passengers. Furthermore it provides the authorities with a powerful end-to-end management platform which allows for the monitoring of the whole passenger process with multiple security, efficiency and revenue benefits, respecting the privacy of data at all times.”
The Aruba Happy Flow pilot will operate at Aruba Airport for two years. At first only a limited group of KLM passengers travelling with an EU passport will be invited to participate in the pilot. They will be invited to do so, upon departure, at the airport on Aruba.
If the results of the pilot are encouraging, expansion of the project to include larger groups of passengers is possible. It may also be integrated with the security process or the introduction of the Happy Flow process at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
