KLM has launched a new transatlantic trial enabling passengers to have their personal information checked by border officials before they arrive into Amsterdam Schiphol.
The Digital Travel Credential (DTC) trial sees eligible passengers on flights from Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal invited to upload their passport information and facial photo at home using an app, facilitating early checks by the border control authorities.
Upon arrival at Schiphol passengers then pass through a dedicated DTC Tap & Go border gate. A facial scan brings up the DTC, and participants then hold their passports against the border gate reader.
Providing there is a match and no irregularities, the passenger can cross the border.
To take part in the trial – which runs until the end of March – customers must by over 18 years of age and hold a Belgian, Dutch or Canadian passport.
The trial is being conducted by the Ministry of Justice and Security, the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations and the National Office for Identity Data in cooperation with the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, KLM and technology provider IDEMIA.
The trial involves the use of DTC1 technology standards issued by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), with information from the biographical page of the passport being supplemented by “technical elements to establish that the information was indeed obtained from an authentic passport”.
KLM said that the European Commission had requested the trial be carried out “to test the use of the DTC in practice in the border process”.
The EU is currently developing policies for the use of a digital travel document, and KLM said that “As a logical continuation of online check-in at home, the pilot project examines how we can further innovate airport checks for boarding and border control”.
In late 2022 the International Air Transport Association (IATA) published industry standards designed to remove physical checks at airports
The ‘Recommended Practice on Digitalization of Admissibility’ aims to avoid stops at the check-in desk or boarding gate for document checks.
IATA publishes industry standards designed to remove physical checks at airports
Commenting on the news Barry ter Voert, chief experience officer (CXO) and EVP business development at KLM, said:
“On a daily basis, we examine how we can make the passenger journey even more comfortable and enjoyable from start to finish. As an airline, KLM is responsible for passport checks as well as check-in and boarding.
“Digitisation provides an opportunity to make these checks faster and more efficient for our customers, starting from home. To do so properly, legislation and regulations are needed.
“That’s why are happy to be participating in the trial conducted by the Dutch government so that we can share our expertise and improve our services.”
