IDEMIA and Resa Airport Data Systems were chosen by VINCI Airports to come up with a world first: a wholly contactless and biometrics-based passenger experience in Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport

• IDEMIA, biometric security solutions market leader, and Resa Airport Data Systems (RESA), a leading airport systems integrator, will join forces to supply LyonSaint-Exupéry airport operator Vinci Airports a contactless solution that runs exclusively on passenger biometric data from registration right through to aircraft boarding.

• Facial recognition technology coupled with latest-generation automatic gates provides for a smooth, seamless and secure airport experience that factors in current social distancing requirements.

• A one-year trial will be conducted starting October 15, 2020 for inter EU flights. Passengers departing from Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport to Portugal on TAP and Transavia flights will be first to enjoy this contactless option.

A world first, remote smartphone-based passenger biometric registration gives passengers a smoother and contactless experience from ID registration until they board. Passenger faces – a genuine Open Sesame throughout the airport – are recorded at home on Mona, Lyon Airport’s smartphone app. Having registered in advance, passengers can put their travel documents away as they pass unhindered through the airport.

Passenger registration is secured by a biometric match between their smartphone-based face and scans of their ID document and boarding card. This totally accurate and reliable identity management system that IDEMIA has perfected lets passengers speed through all identity control points.

RESA’s latest automatic and biometric compact gate dubbed Major eGate, which caters for disabled people too, comes with an integrated camera so that passengers can pass through to the security restricted area and then board their plane based merely on facial recognition.

IDEMIA’s system is universal, secure and works on all airline systems thanks to RESA’s IATA-certified CUPPS system. This will be available at Lyon Airport for Transavia and TAP flights to Portugal.

While this new service is subject to formal CNIL¹ approval, to date CNIL has recommended it to safeguard passenger data and rights.

As biometric security solutions expert, we are thrilled to deliver a world first alongside our customers Vinci Airports and Lyon Airport and our partner RESA. This trial harnesses contactless biometric technology that gives users an unrivaled airport experience without letting up one jot on security. This bears out our capacity to constantly innovate to safeguard passenger trust and help pave the way for even smoother and more secure future travel.
IDEMIA Executive VP Identity and Public Safety Philippe Barreau

Current covid restrictions forced us to rethink how to take care of passengers and their interactions with airport security staff and equipment. The biometric trial underway at Lyon Airport was made possible by French industrial collaboration, whereby hi-tech saved the day despite the current pandemic and economic crisis. We have shown here that passengers can pass through airport checks fully contactless and without handing over paper documents while shoring up security to boot.
RESA CEO Renaud Willard

We are thrilled to launch MONA today, a world first, at a time when airports need game-changing innovations so they can give passengers an even safer, more enjoyable and personalized experience. I warmly congratulate all staff involved including IDEMIA and RESA people, who managed to overcome tough restrictions these last few months and deliver a great trial in barely a year.
Vinci Airports France & Americas Area Director Valérie Vesque-Jeancard

IDEMIA provides both rapid and safe passenger flow solutions to countless airports around the world and manages 30-plus government border control programs. In 2017, IDEMIA installed a facial recognition-based biometric ID control system in Terminal 4 of Singapore’s Changi Airport, from baggage check-in right through to aircraft boarding, including going airside and border crossing. The Company has regularly conducted facial recognition technology trials to make boarding smoother.

RESA’s expertise lies in introducing biometric technology to authenticate airport security staff, who need to connect to airport IT systems. RESA is currently engaged in introducing such technology on top of existing passenger airport systems. Previously, the firm has conducted several pilot tests including in Singapore and Paris airports.

¹ France’s national authority responsible for data privacy