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Airports and airlines alike are using technology to reduce the wait times associated with air travel. After traveling abroad, many travelers returning to the United States face long customs lines. A key tool for getting through this line quickly is the Mobile Passport app, which can help to eliminate these lines altogether. While this app is not exactly new, it remains under the radar for the vast majority of Americans who travel internationally. However, it can prove to be an excellent tool for travelers.

The appeal of the Mobile Passport app is the ability to access the US Customs and Border Protection express lane, which can generally get people through to baggage claim in a matter of minutes, even though the line is usually exceedingly long. The app is very easy to use and involves simply inputting passport information and then taking a selfie. The app will ask the same questions that are posed at the standard customs kiosk except that everything is handled digitally. Best of all, the service is completely free, although some premium options exist that involve an additional expense.

The Origins of the Mobile Passport App

The person behind the Mobile Passport app is Hans Miller. While not many people will recognize his name, he has done great work in leveraging technology to reduce the wait times associated with air travel. Miller helped to build the Transportation Security Administration when it was initially created. Later, he and his partner implemented mobile boarding passes to help facilitate easier air travel. The technology eliminated the need to stand in check-in counter lines or use a kiosk. The pair also introduced Mobile Passport Control to the federal government back in 2009 as a way to reduce waiting times on the landing side.

Global Entry was the first program designed to ease the lines for travelers returning to the United States after international travel. The program involves a lot of work just to get accepted, including an extensive interview process. Miller envisioned something different and started working on Mobile Passport, which eventually launched at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta about five years ago. Since that time, the program has expanded to dozens of airports across the country with about 7 million people currently using the app. Unlike Global Entry, Mobile Passport does not require an interview or long application form. The whole process can be completed in seconds.

Addressing Security Concerns Associated with Technology

One of the top concerns that has been raised in relation to the use of technology in the airport, especially in regards to aspects such as biometrics, is data security. This issue also comes up with apps, many of which make money by selling personal information. Travelers do not have to worry about this issue with Mobile Passport, as it does not share any of the information related to travelers with any other organization. In fact, Mobile Passport itself cannot access the data of its users, as all information is stored only on personal devices. Furthermore, this data is encrypted, and the key to unlocking this information is present only on a traveler’s phone, which means that there is no administrative access whatsoever.

People may then ask how Mobile Passport makes money. As mentioned above, the app has a premium service that individuals can access with a $15 annual fee. The premium service allows individuals to save all of their information for their next trip instead of having to input the data following each new arrival. A single subscription fees covers multiple family members. Individuals who frequently travel internationally may benefit from this subscription service. Inputting passport information does not take much time, so travelers can easily make good use of the free service to skip the long customs lines.

The Future of Airport Travel, According to Hans Miller

Miller is committed to facilitating easier air travel through the implementation of new technologies. His company is now focused on creating a biometric product that will enable travelers to board their flights without the need for boarding passes or personal identification documents. Notably, the option that Miller has envisioned is much less intrusive than the facial recognition technology that is now being tested at airports. Facial recognition technology raises a lot of questions about privacy, and Miller recognizes this fact. To address the problem, Miller is creating a product that allows travelers to store their own reference photos and then grant access to security personnel at a specific location for a limited period of time.

With this sort of technology, travelers can have a seamless experience facilitated by biometrics without having to worry about losing control over sensitive data. Such technology could radically change the departure process by eliminating a number of steps. The technology could also perhaps be applied to arrivals, as well. One could potentially link biometrics to something like Mobile Passport in order to eliminate the need to input data and have all of the information stored on the app instead.

Held in March, the 2019 Passenger Terminal Expo & Conference drew more than 10,000 people interested in improving the customer experience at airports. Attendees were treated to sneak peeks and announcements about new technologies, learning how they could be adopted in the airport environment.

The idea of a “smart airport” is not far off, with technology being applied to everything from baggage drops to passenger identification. Several other recent air travel industry meetings, including the ACI Asia-Pacific/World Annual General Assembly, Conference, and Exhibition, have covered the myriad uses of airport tech as well.

Even people who do not attend these meetings can get a sense of the future just by paying attention to the unique and exciting programs being implemented at airports across the world. Some of the most promising applications of technology include the following:

1. Passenger assistant robots

Though robots are nothing new to airports, one of the areas in which they have not been fully implemented is customer satisfaction. Some airports are now exploring how terminal-based robots can help passengers by providing directions, guiding them to their various gates and terminals, and even helping with the transport of purchases. Aside from this functionality, robots would have the ability to scan for trash and general cleanliness, sending an alert when attention is needed. They could also monitor the environment for things like ideal temperature.

One airport has already purchased 10 robots that are being functionally developed to achieve these tasks, and it will likely invest in more as the technology advances.

2. Single-token travel capability

Hong Kong International Airport is looking into the idea of single-token travel, which would potentially enable the use of facial recognition technology as a form of identification. Without the need for constant ID, passport, and boarding pass checks, passengers would be able to move seamlessly through every stage of security at the airport. Hong Kong International has already installed equipment to improve the check-in process, in addition to 100 self-drop bag areas. It is also completing 44 “egate” installations that will facilitate passport checks and boarding pass scans.

In the future, single-token journeys would make it possible for travelers to check in at home using their face and then move continuously through the airport without needing to stop at every checkpoint. Of course, this possibility involves collecting biometric data from passengers, which raises new concerns about security.

3. Internal machine communication

The development of better wireless Internet connectivity, such as 5G technology, will have a significant impact on how airports operate in the future by facilitating machine-to-machine communication. Perhaps the most exciting application of this technology is autonomous vehicles. Because these vehicles need to be immediately overridden in the event of an emergency, constant and fast connection is key to safe use.

Currently available to transport luggage, autonomous vehicles could one day be used to transport passengers around the airport. However, a primary barrier to implication is testing durability, such as the impact of weather, since safety remains the primary concern.

4. Preconfigured flow of traffic

One of the more mundane but extremely important implications of digital technology in the airport involves the flow of traffic. Recently, Glasgow Airport contracted with a company to improve the customer experience of parking. People can digitally reserve a parking spot in advance, avoiding wasting precious time driving around looking for a space. They can also immediately see availability and pricing so that they can make a quick decision. Furthermore, the system also allows people to book ancillary services like lounge access. This functionality will help cut down on lines and provide a more streamlined and straightforward experience for customers.

5. Data-backed security

The primary concern of any airport is passenger safety. Airports are now using data to make security even stronger by forging alliances with enforcement agencies. The upside for passengers, besides a greater feeling of safety, is that data-driven security involves much less of an inconvenience for passengers. Data sharing does have some issues, such as privacy and security, but there are ways to safeguard sensitive information at the same time.

Through data-backed security, airports, in partnership with carriers and immigration officials, will be able to know exactly who is getting on and off each flight. This information can be used to help evaluate potential threats long in advance. More airports are creating data centers that will facilitate this type of evaluation.

6. Separate baggage travel

A major hassle when coming to the airport is bringing baggage to check. When online check-in became available, this helped cut down lines to some extent, but many people still need to stand in baggage check lines. Some airports are hoping to streamline the baggage check-in process in the future by making it part of the at-home check-in process.

Passengers will pay a logistics provider to pick up the bag and get it to the right place, while digital technology will track the bag along every step of the way. Allowing customers to travel separate from bags, yet track them at the same time, will help to lessen the stress of the airport experience.