Air Canada has launched facial recognition identification to confirm identification in a pilot project.
CNW Group/Air Canada
Air Canada says it is the country’s first airline with approval to offer customers facial recognition technology to confirm identification.
According to the news release, Air Canada’s digital identification pilot program is available for customers departing from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Winnipeg and for eligible customers entering the Air Canada Café at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
In November 2021, WestJet piloted facial verification technology for touchless boarding at YYC Calgary International Airport pending approval from the federal government.
Air Canada says it is offering customers the option to utilize digital identification via their mobile app, with eligible customers at the Air Canada Café in Toronto and select flights from Vancouver to Winnipeg receiving an invitation and instructions on how to create their secure digital faceprint before arriving at the airport.
Customers who prefer not to use this option can continue with manual ID checks using their boarding pass and government-issued photo ID.
“Our government and Canadian airlines and airports are eager to move forward with innovative solutions and technologies to modernize the traveller journey in airports across the country, which would enable a more seamless and efficient air transportation system,” said Federal Minister of Transport, Omar Alghabra, in a news release.
“Air Canada’s pilot project will speed up processes at YVR, and other airports where it’s established, while respecting robust privacy measures and security standards. This project has great potential in making gate boarding easier and faster for Canadian passengers, while maintaining strong safety measures,”
Air Canada assures customers’ biometric data is encrypted and stored only on their mobile phones and subject to strict privacy and security standards. It emphasizes that this is an optional, consent-based program unrelated to government-sponsored programs like NEXUS, Global Entry, or US CBP Mobile Passport Control (MPC).
Air Canada plans to expand digital identification options to select Canadian airports and Maple Leaf Lounges as part of its pilot project phase.