Orlando International Airport (MCO) has announced a new partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to introduce a biometric identity verification system aimed at streamlining the entry process for arriving passengers.
The initiative, known as Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP), is designed to make the arrival process more efficient through the use of facial comparison technology.
By matching a passenger’s face to images already stored in official documents, such as passports, CBP aims to reduce manual administrative procedures and allow officers to focus on direct engagement with travellers.
The programme will initially be available to US citizens arriving on selected international flights. Travellers who choose to take part will have a photograph taken on arrival, which is automatically compared to their passport photo already stored in government databases.
Once verified, passengers will be directed to baggage claim without the need for further document checks. Participation is optional, and those who prefer not to use the technology can continue to be processed manually by a CBP officer.
Lance Lyttle, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) said:Technology is driving the way for more efficient passenger operations. Innovative programs like EPP can significantly reduce processing times for passengers, without compromising security.
MCO saw an increase of more than 800,000 international arrivals in 2024 than in 2023, many of them U.S. citizens who would benefit from this program. We deeply value our partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and thank them for their continued collaboration and support in helping us deliver a more seamless and secure experience for our international travellers.
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), which manages the airport, has appointed iProov as the technology partner for the programme. The company specialises in biometric solutions and has previously worked with other border agencies on similar implementations.
CBP will begin rolling out the system on selected flights, with full deployment targeted in time for the summer travel season.
According to GOAA, the collaboration with CBP builds on a longstanding relationship focused on modernising airport operations and improving the experience for passengers.
