SKY ICT Public Company Limited (SET: SKY) is set to officially launch the Automated BiometricIdentification System, known as Biometrics, at six Thai airports managed by Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (SET: AOT) in November. The innovative system aims to streamline the immigration process and reduce waiting times for foreign arrivals.
Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (SET: AOT) reports a significant 22.1% increase in the scheduled flight timetable across all six airports under its management during the upcoming winter season (Oct 2024 – Mar 2025) compared to the previous year. This surge in flight schedules is expected to impact airport operations positively.
SKY ICT’s focus on airport technologies, including the Common Use Passenger Processing System (CUPPS) and the Advanced Passenger Processing System (APPS), has been instrumental in boosting the company’s revenue in recent years. The upcoming official launch of the Automated BiometricIdentification System marks a pivotal moment for the company’s technological advancements in airport operations.
The SKY’s Automated BiometricIdentification System (Biometrics) is designed to enhance efficiency at airport immigration, particularly in reducing wait times for foreign arrivals. By implementing this cutting-edge technology at various airports in Thailand, SKY aims to revolutionize the passenger processing experience and ensure a smoother journey for travelers.
Mr. Kerati Kijmanawat, President of AOT, highlighted the success of the trial period for the Biometrics system in several Thai airports. The system has demonstrated significant improvements in processing times, with expectations to reduce the waiting time at immigration for foreign arrivals from 30 minutes to less than three minutes. Additionally, the overall time spent from disembarking the plane to claiming baggage is projected to be reduced from 50 minutes to no more than 30 minutes.
One area that could further expedite the process is resolving any bottlenecks at the baggage claim area, which involves the selection of operators. Addressing this bottleneck could lead to even faster processing times for passengers utilizing the Biometric system.
The official launch dates for the Biometric system are set for November 1, 2024, for Thai nationals and December 1, 2024, for foreign arrivals at the six airports managed by AOT. These airports include Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Mueang International Airport, Chiang Mai International Airport, Mae Fah Luang – Chiang Rai International Airport, Phuket International Airport, and Hat Yai International Airport.
Travelers interested in utilizing the Biometrics system can register during the airport check-in process using two methods: Common Use Terminal Equipment (CUTE) and Common Use Self–check-in System (CUSS), both of which are developed by SKY.
According to current data, the top five tourist nationalities visiting Thailand this year are from China, Malaysia, India, Singapore, and Hong Kong. This information underscores the importance of implementing efficient systems like the BiometricIdentification System to cater to the increasing number of visitors to the country.
