Smart Check-in

[Anchor Lead]

It seems that we no longer need to carry our ID cards when using flights. You will be exempted from some time-consuming check-in procedures just by showing one of your palms. The cutting-edge check-in technology currently applies to domestic flights only. However, it is expected to be soon expanded to international flights. Let's get into more details.

[Pkg]

At the departure hall for domestic flights at Gimpo Airport, many passengers are busy looking for and pulling out their ID cards. However, some people use a simpler way to get through the check-in procedures. They receive boarding passes and press their palm on a biometric reader.

[Soundbite] "Thank you. Good bye."

It takes just ten seconds.

[Soundbite] Kim Eun-mi(Gangnam-gu Dist., Seoul) : "I don't need to wait long or rummage around my bag to find my ID card. It's convenient."

This is a biometric identification service, which is based on the fact that similar to fingerprints, palm veins are laid out in a pattern that is unique to every individual. Over the past year, 163,000 people have registered their biometric information. The number of users is likely to soon surpass one million. Any passenger on domestic flights over the age of 14 can use the biometric authentication service. First, personal information is entered and a photo is taken. Lastly, a palm is screened on a reader. It all takes about three minutes. The service is now in operation for domestic flights at 14 airports nationwide, except for Incheon Airport. It will soon be introduced for international flights.

[Soundbite] Jeong Yeon-kyu(Korea Airports Corporation) : "Passengers both on domestic and international flights will be able to check in and get aboard planes with no need to present their ID cards, passports and boarding passes."

Incheon Airport is now operating a security system to use ocular irises, instead of ID cards, for authenticating its employees.

[Soundbite] "Authentication successful."

The Ministry of Transport is reviewing a revision to the law to run a pilot biometric identification system for international flights this year. However, international flight passengers still have to carry their passports in order to go smoothly through immigration procedures in their destination countries.