Air Canada Introduces Facial Recognition Technology at Boarding Gates

November 28, 2024 TruthUSA

Air Canada is implementing facial recognition technology at the gate, marking the first Canadian airline to utilize this software to enhance the boarding process.

Starting on Tuesday, passengers boarding most domestic Air Canada flights at Vancouver International Airport will have the option to board the plane without presenting physical forms of identification such as a passport or driver’s license.

Individuals participating in the program, which is voluntary, can upload a photo of their face and a scan of their passport to the airline’s app.

Originally launched as a pilot project in February 2023, the digital ID feature has been accessible at Air Canada’s Maple Leaf lounges in Toronto, Calgary, and San Francisco, with plans to introduce it at other Canadian airport gates.

While Canadian airlines have been slower to adopt biometric technology compared to US airlines, overseas airports, and government security agencies, facial recognition technology has already been employed by several US airlines.

The software uses unique physical characteristics of a traveler’s face for identification, sparking concerns about privacy and ethics. However, Air Canada clarifies that this option is not linked to government programs.