Curaçao has launched the Curaçao Express Pass, a passenger pre-processing system that leverages mobile and biometrics technology.
The Minister of Justice, Shalten Hato, was the first to use the new system officially on July 1, 2024. It allows passengers to complete part of the identity verification process remotely, speeding up their entry upon arrival at Curaçao International Airport.
Passengers traveling to Curaçao fill out a digital immigration card and use the Airside Digital Identity App to create a digital identity by taking a selfie, scanning their passport’s MRZ, and reading the NFC chip. This establishes a digital identity, stored only on the user’s phone, which can then be shared with Curaçao border officials.
Eligible passengers can use the Curaçao Express Pass eGates, where the system verifies their identity by using facial recognition to compare their live image with the biometric data, allowing for contactless entry.
This is the first phase of the Curaçao Express Pass program. The second phase will include digital guidance totems – interactive digital kiosks or information pillars installed at various points in the airport – to be implemented before the December tourist high season. The program aims to increase efficiency and innovation, eventually enabling passengers to use the technology when leaving the country, as well.
Founded in 2009, Airside was acquired by biometric identity assurance specialist Onfido in the spring of last year. Airside’s flagship digital identity offering has previously attained compliance with some stringent standards, including National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication (SP) 800-63-3 rev 3 Class of Approval and FIDO2; and it is on the Kantara Initiative’s Trust Mark Status List.
In acquiring Airside, Onfido sought to combine the Airside Digital Identity App with Onfido’s Real Identity Platform, bringing its document reading and biometric technologies to the table. Airside went on to begin working with Curaçao Airport Holding and government authorities on a “mobile-based, pre-enrollment border crossing system” later that same year.
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July 5, 2024 – by Cass Kennedy and Alex Perala
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