The first airline globally, Norwegian, is now developing a new biometric solution for faster and more secure boarding.

Norwegian has contracted Braathens IT Solutions and Genkey to develop biometric solutions for faster and more secure boarding. In the period 3-14 November Norwegian will test boarding using next generation biometrics on selected departures from Moss Airport Rygge.

Norwegian extends its investment in biometric self service kiosks, and has chosen Braathens IT Solutions, a provider of IT systems to the airline industry, and GenKey, a provider of biometric solutions, as partners in next generation solutions for faster and more secure boarding of their aircrafts.

Their target is to develop the simplest and most effective concept for travellers. Norwegian will, as first airline globally, use biometric encryption, a technology where no sensitive passenger information is stored at any time. "We know that our customers are concerned with privacy, and this technology opens for new usages of biometrics while being privacy friendly" says Bjørn Erik Barman-Jenssen, director for station & in-flight services in Norwegian.

Project manager Lars Näppä says that they expect to be able to install the solution for production in the spring of 2009. "Our passengers appreciate not to have to line up in slow queues to board our aircraft," he says. "We work hard to meet this expectation, and to provide a pleasant travel experience. Trials show that passengers value the advantages of biometric solutions. This solution satisfies government requirements to confirm that the person boarding the aircraft is identical to the one checking in luggage at the bag drop counter. The biometric solution can be combined with an automated boarding device, turnstile, to further accelerate the boarding process."

The airliner currently operates five routes from London, flying directly to Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, Stavanger and Tromsø – and a sixth UK route from Manchester to Bergen.