US Customer and Border Protection (CBP) has announced the adding of Simplified Arrival to Tampa International Airport.
The Simplified Arrival process uses facial biometrics to automate the manual document checks that are already required for admission into the United States, which fulfils a longstanding Congressional mandate to biometrically record the entry and exit of non-US citizens.
“Using biometric systems is the future of travel and tourism, because it creates a safe, secure and touchless travel experience for anyone arriving in the US,” said CBP Acting Area Port Director, Joseph Sabuda.
Simplified Arrival only uses the biometric facial comparison at a time and place where travellers are already required by law to verify their identity by presenting a travel document. When travellers arrive from overseas, they will pause for a photo at the primary inspection point which will then be compared to the traveller’s passport or vis a photo.
Over 68 million travellers have participated in the biometric facial comparison process at air, land and seaports of entry. Simplified Arrival is voluntary for US citizens and for select foreign nationals who are not required to provide biometrics. Eligible travellers who wish to opt out of the new facial biometric process may notify a CBP officer when approaching the primary inspection point.
“Biometric screening is a huge advancement in air travel safety and convenience that sets us up for even more contactless and efficient processes in the future,” said John Tiliacos, Executive Vice President of Operations and Customer Service at TPA. “We are thankful for our strong partnership with US Customs and Border Protection in putting TPA at the forefront of this technology.”
