Biometric identification systems, first introduced at Gimpo Airport last year, will be expanded to Incheon Airport. (image: Korea Airports Corp.)
SEJONG, Mar. 8 (Korea Bizwire) — The South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport announced on Thursday plans to introduce a new identification system at airports that will not require any identification except for fingerprints or vein recognition to identify a person.
The ministry also plans to build duty-free stores in the arrivals hall at Incheon International Airport to allow duty-free shopping both on arrival and departure.
Biometric identification systems, first introduced at Gimpo Airport last year, will be expanded to Incheon Airport.
Pre-registering fingerprints, vein recognition, and other biometric information will allow passengers to enter the departure gate without a need to submit an ID card.
The service is currently available at all 14 airports in South Korea for passengers flying domestically.
By October, passengers will also be able to use biometric data to identify themselves when entering the aircraft. The service will be made available at Incheon Airport, for both domestic and international flights, within this year.
“International flights come with a series of security regulations far more complex than domestic flights. Our goal is to implement the new system within the year,” said a ministry official.
“Passengers will be able to use the system both when entering the departure hall and getting onboard the aircraft.”
South Korea’s first duty-free shop in the arrivals hall will open before the second quarter of this year.
The ministry will approve the construction of two shops at Terminal 1 and one at Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport, and hand them over to medium-sized companies for management and operation.
“We will continue to create new ideas to maximize the convenience of our citizens using airports,” said a ministry official.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
