The arrival of a KLM flightKL672 from Montreal to Schiphol Airport enacted a joint pilot by Canada and the Netherlands to give passengers seamless border checks using the Digital Travel Credential. The digital travel document, containing data from the chip of a passport, is being tested to shorten long queues in particular for intercontinental journeys.
The European Commission issued the request to practice the use case for easier border management as the end of the pilot approaches on 31 March 2024.
Passengers on the selected KLM flight were guided effortlessly through the final part of their journeys at the DTC Tap & Go border gate that used facial recognition.
The pilot has been led between the Ministry of Justice and Security, the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations and the National Office for Identity Data at the EC’s request, and IDEMIA is appointed as technology partner.
The participating airlines and airports that are adopting the DTC have been cooperative in the pilot too, namely Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, KLM, and the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee.
Other flights with matching departures from Canada and landing in Amsterdam are eligible to participate in the pilot as long as opted passengers hold a Belgian, Dutch or Canadian passport and are over 18 years of age. Passengers were invited by KLM to test the digital travel credential, and before travel enter their passport information and a facial photo at home via an app. This facilitated advanced checks before passengers reached the border at Schiphol.
At the airport, their face is scanned and the DTC is called up. The individual then presses their passport against the e-gate reader which assesses a match with their DTC.
Barry ter Voert, Chief Experience Officer and EVP Business Development at KLM commented:
“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.”
Watch passengers travel through Schiphol Airport:
This digital travel document is intended to reduce queues at passport control (nos.nl)
