June 13 2022
With the vacation season approaching, iProov conducted an independent survey of over 16,000 consumers in eight countries, looking at fast-track travel services and how the airport experience can be improved. The surveyed countries were the US, Canada, UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, Australia, Mexico.
The questions in the survey included:
Download the report here for all of the data.
The responses to the survey show that travelers are very keen on fast-track services that help them get through the airport that bit quicker:
See the full breakdown below:
For more travel stats, get your free copy of our travel report here.
It’s worth noting here that people’s definition of ‘fast-track services’ may differ across the globe. In the US, for example, Clear, TSA Pre-check, and Global Entry enable swift progress through airport security. Other consumers may be referring to airlines offering priority boarding as part of a ticket upgrade.
Whatever the definition, the conclusion is the same: consumers like and are often willing to pay for fast-track services.
Fast-track services for travelers can be found at numerous points during a trip. Airport security is one such bottleneck. Using priority access to board a plane is another. And it’s not just about airports — car hire firms often have fast-track desks for frequent users.
Thanks to secure remote biometric verification technology, travelers can now avoid another significant bottleneck: checking ID and tickets.
For many years, travelers have been able to check-in online for a flight or an international rail journey in geographies. Once they get to the travel hub, they then need to have their identity documents (passport, driver’s license or ID card) checked by a member of staff.
The ID check can now also be done remotely in advance, thanks to secure facial biometric verification technology. Travelers can scan their identity documentation using their smartphone or computer and then complete a brief face scan to verify that they are who they claim to be.
Once the traveler reaches the travel hub, they avoid the long lines and can choose to complete a biometric authentication that takes a few short seconds.
By using their face as their ticket, the traveler can avoid waiting in long lines and avoid rummaging around or scrolling for tickets and ID documents.
This journey is enabled by iProov’s Genuine Presence Assurance® technology, which assures the genuine presence of travelers when they’re signing up for fast-track services at home. Genuine Presence Assurance confirms that a remote individual is the right person, a real person, and is authenticating right now — enabling the individual to be securely associated to their documents and tickets.
This is what the biometric-enabled fast-track service could look like at an airport:
Aside from the fact that 85% of global consumers said they either use fast-track services or would like to do so, there are a number of additional considerations:
Biometric-enabled fast-track services will be needed as the demand for travel services soars post-COVID. Reuters predict ‘long lines, higher prices’ as airlines, hotels and rental car companies are all seeing an uptick in demand.
Simultaneously, the travel industry is facing a tight labor market as they attempt to restart and expand operations following 2+ years of depressed demand due to COVID-19. Biometric technology offers the convenience, security, efficiency, and inclusivity to meet this challenge and avoid disappointing and inconveniencing consumers.
If you’d like to learn more about how iProov can secure and streamline your travel organization’s fast-track services using face biometrics, book your demo today.