Abu Dhabi Airports install new traveller document authentication system

Abu Dhabi Airports has signed an agreement with SITA to provide iValidate, a new traveller document authentication system, at Terminal 3 by June 2015.

The air transport IT specialist SITA will put in place a traveller document authentication system to validate boarding passes. The system is said to enhance security, accelerate passenger processing and reduce waiting times for passengers by automatically verifying all types of boarding passes including mobile boarding passes and home printed passes using iValidate. Abu Dhabi International Airport is the first Middle Eastern airport to deploy the SITA iValidate product.

The system will be installed at Abu Dhabi International’s Terminal 3 economy followed by Terminal 3 business area. At a later stage the system will be introduced at Terminal 1 for both economy and business.

The system will include four security lanes with automatic gates, four mobile/paper boarding pass scanners and four hand-held wireless boarding pass scanners.

Ahmad Al Haddabi, Chief Operations Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “Deploying such an advanced technology is a further demonstration of Abu Dhabi Airports’ determination to use the very best the market has to offer. Effectively managing the balance between continuous passenger flow and stringent security measures is a fundamental part of our operations, and the task is even more important in view of our continued growth. This is all part of our ongoing programme to deliver a smooth flowing airport that affords passengers sufficient comfort and time to enjoy all the facilities on offer.”

Hani El-Assaad, President, Middle East, India and Africa, SITA, added: “It’s always a challenge to maintain the right balance between speed, efficiency and security. We also know that airports typically make around one-third of their revenue from retail, and there is a very clear correlation between moving passengers quickly through airport security and retail spend. SITA’s Airport iValidate is designed to work hand in hand with security at Abu Dhabi International to help them enhance the passenger experience.”

The iValidate traveller document authentication system will ensure passengers are at the correct terminal and security checkpoint. The data is automatically validated, checked for duplicates and cross-referenced against the airport Operational Database and the airline’s Departure Control System. The information is then displayed to the passenger on a graphical user interface instantaneously.