UAE: Emirates To Introduce Facial Recognition Technology To Shorten Passengers Waits

Emirates is introducing facial recognition technology to shorten passengers’ waits at immigration and check-in counters, a move that comes as the US revives a ban that could complicate air travel from the Middle East.

Passengers will be able to upload biometric details such as selfies to their smartphones, and use the data to scan through boarding gates and other checkpoints at Emirates’ Dubai hub, the carrier said in a statement.

The technology, which will be rolled out over the next 18 months, will also facilitate access to immigration counters at airports.

Emirates’ announcement comes as travel from the Middle East becomes more onerous and the region’s carriers struggle with some of the toughest business conditions in decades.

On Monday, the US Supreme Court partially reinstated a ban denying entry to people from six predominantly Muslim countries.

In March, the US and UK barred laptops and other electronic gadgets onboard flights from certain Mideast airports, a move that has weighed on demand at the Gulf airlines.

Despite the challenges, Emirates’ main Dubai hub has been struggling with overcrowding, prompting the company to seek ways to process passengers more quickly.

European and US carriers are also increasingly using facial recognition and biometric security to streamline check-in and boarding at airports – still the most arduous part of airborne travel.

Airlines including British Airways, KLM, JetBlue Airways Corp. and Delta Air Lines Inc. have rolled out or are experimenting with the technology.

Emirates is additionally exploring how it can use augmented reality and smartglasses at airports and onboard flights to improve customer service, Emirates Chief Digital and Innovation Officer Christoph Mueller said this month.

Mr Mueller was appointed last year to help modernize the world’s biggest long-haul airline and better integrate digital processes into its operations.

CUBA: U.S., Cuba To Hold Talks On Regular Flights Next Week

The United States and Cuba plan to hold talks in Havana next week on normalizing airline service, a U.S. official said on Tuesday, a step that could benefit U.S. carriers if the island becomes open to American tourism.

The talks will take place Sept. 28-29, the official said, as Washington and Havana inch toward normal relations after more than half a century of hostility that followed Cuba’s 1959 revolution. The two nations restored diplomatic ties and reopened embassies this summer. Next week’s talks could be announced as early as Tuesday, the U.S. official said.

The United States unveiled new rules on Friday to ease trade, travel and investment restrictions with Cuba that will allow some U.S. companies to establish offices in Cuba, expand banking and Internet activities and eliminate limits on the amount of money that can be taken there, U.S. officials said.

The changes, while significant, stop short of allowing across-the-board investments by U.S. companies or general U.S. tourism, activities banned under the U.S. trade embargo that can only be formally removed by Congress.

The majority Republicans are unlikely to do that anytime soon. U.S. citizens can now visit the island nation only for a dozen purposes, including cultural exchange, journalism and religious activities, but general vacations are barred. On Friday the Obama administration issued a new rule allowing authorized travelers to visit Cuba with their close relatives. U.S. airlines cannot operate scheduled flights to Cuba.

While the countries reached a formal air transport agreement in 1953, carriers have been limited to operating charter services for specialist tour groups since the 1959 revolution. While major U.S. airlines have all expressed a desire to add Cuba to their route maps, American Airlines Group Inc. and JetBlue Airways Corp might stand to benefit most. They have focused more on the Caribbean than their U.S. rivals, offering travelers many connecting opportunities.