Amadeus biometric technology trial begins with BA at Heathrow Terminal 5

The six-month trial means passengers will not need to present their passports or boarding passes at check-in, bag drop or boarding

British Airways has started to test Amadeus Biometric technology on selected flights from Heathrow Terminal 5.

The six-month trial means that passengers will not need to present their passports or boarding passes at check-in, bag drop or boarding.

Customers travelling on selected flights to Malaga will be offered the chance to enrol for the biometric passenger experience.

Other international destinations, including Nice and Cape Town, are planned at a later stage.

Biometric enrolment can take place at home with a mobile phone or via kiosks at Terminal 5.

Enrolled passengers are automatically recognised as they approach the self-serve bag drop or the boarding gate, with no need to present travel documents.

David Breeze, BA’s operations transformation manager, said: “Not only is this the first time that our customers have been able to register their biometric information at home, but it’s the first time they can use it for British Airways’ international flights from the UK.

“This is a secure and efficient tool that makes for a smarter and smoother airport experience, which will reduce the time it takes us to board aircraft.

“The beauty of this technology is that it also frees our people up to look after more complex customer enquiries and deliver the best possible customer service.”

Yannick Beunardeau, Amadeus’ EMEA senior vice-president for airport and airline operations, added: “Biometric technology can now be easily embedded across the entire passenger experience.

“At Amadeus, our biometric capabilities are in the cloud, which means we can easily equip any service point, at any airport, incorporating different government standards for biometrics.”

Amadeus Biometric solutions are being used at an increasing number of airports, with the technology supporting the ‘Face Express’ experience at Tokyo’s Narita airport.

More than 10 airports in the US rely on Amadeus to deliver the biometric exit checks for international travellers leaving the US.