GC Airport smarter

THE introduction of the latest self-processing customs technology has continued the Gold Coast Airport’s recent revamp to be among the best in the country.

The Gold Coast is only the second non-capital city airport to have received Federal Government funding for SmartGate­ — a facial recognition technology that allows international passengers to self-process through Customs.

Also in use at Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne and Perth international airports, SmartGate takes a live image of a traveller’s face and matches this image with the digitised image stored in the traveller’s ePassport.

With international passenger movements increased by almost 92 per cent in 2009, Gold Coast Airport general manager of aviation Charles Martin, says introducing the technology is timely.

“Gold Coast Airport is now Australia’s fifth busiest international airport. Last year we had more than 677,000 international passengers travelling through our airport,” says Martin.

“We are very pleased the Federal Government, through the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, has provided SmartGate facilities in Gold Coast Airport that will benefit our passengers.

“The system will offer our eligible travellers the option to self-process and is a secure, efficient way to clear through passport control. It will be a valuable addition to our international facilities in our recently launched $100 million new passenger terminal.”

International services offered from Gold Coast Airport include Japan, Malaysia, and New Zealand through Jetstar, AirAsia X, Pacific Blue and Air New Zealand.

“We continue to record significant growth in our international passenger movements and welcome the introduction of a smart, efficient system that will help streamline our passenger facilitation through the airport,” says Martin.