Indra's biometric document identification system begins operations at Malaga Airport

The ABC system (Automated Border Control) automated border management and control that Indra has implemented at UTE with Iecisa at Malaga Airport has already come into operation, so that passengers can verify their documentation and identity in just a few seconds by analyzing their biometric parameters.

Malaga Airport has begun to use the ABC system of automated border management and control, developed by the UTE made up of Indra, in collaboration with the National Police Corps, E Iecisa, verifying passenger documentation in a few seconds and verifying their identity by analyzing their biometric parameters, which not only improves security, but waits and queues in checking documents.

The commissioning of this system has been inaugurated by the Secretary of State for Security, Francisco Martinez, and is part of the Global and Integrated Border Management Program, which aims to use this technology to comprehensively manage all air and sea borders with large passenger movements in Spain.

Smart borders

The ABC system, which is part of the future network of smart borders, it can be used by citizens of the European Union, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein (European Economic Area) Switzerland that they have an electronic passport, in addition to Spanish citizens who have electronic ID and who arrive at Malaga Airport from countries outside Shengen space.

This identification solution consists of a terminal (digital check-in type) where the traveler enters his ID or electronic passport. In a matter of seconds, the system verifies the authenticity of the document and verifies that it actually corresponds to its bearer by biometric analysis of its fingerprint and facial features.

Once this control is over, the traveler heads to the exit control door, that incorporates a sensor that re-verifies your fingerprint to give you access. In this way, maximum comfort is achieved for the traveler and the officers of the National Police Corps are unloaded, who should only intervene in case they detect any anomalies in the process.

The ABC system has been installed in Malaga Airport's T2 terminal, which has three disassisted documentation control equipment and a door with biometric identification with fingerprinting, and at terminal T3, which has four control equipment and two doors equipped with sensors, as it is one of the most transiting passengers.

Francisco Martinez, highlighted during the opening ceremony that the entry into service of the ABC system occurs "following the success of the two pilot projects that, since the year 2010, Adolfo Suárez-Madrid Barajas and El Prat-Barcelona airport", also developed and implemented by Indra.

New generation of systems

This Spanish consulting and technology multinational has become a benchmark in the development of automated border management systems in a few years. This same year, the European Commission has entrusted Indra with the leadership of the European R&D project ABC4EU (Automated Border Gates for Europe), where fifteen partners from seven different countries work.

This initiative aims to harmonize the different types of ABC systems that exist in different countries in Europe, so that passengers always have the same user experience, as well as facilitating the implementation of the system regardless of the provider that developed it. Also, this system will also be prepared so that it can verify next-generation digital documents and will discuss the possibility that citizens of non-EU countries may also use it, expanding its use to a greater number of travellers.

This technology first implemented at Malaga Airport will also be launched soon at Palma de Mallorca airports, Tenerife South, Girona and Alicante, and the pilot projects of the Madrid and Barcelona airfields and the port of Algeciras will also be eded (Cadiz).

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