Good New For New Arrivals at Orlando Airport This Summer

[UKDEB]

ORLANDO, FL.(May 17) – The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Board approved at its May meeting the implementation of a new initiative program self-service Automated Passport Control (APC) system. Orlando International Airport will be the first airport in the nation to test the self-service kiosks to expedite the international arrival process and reduce passenger processing times with Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The new system is expected to be in place by this summer.

The self-service kiosk technology will partially automate the inspection process for non-U.S. citizens entering the United States. Later this year, the program will expand in Orlando to add U.S. citizens as well. According to Customs and Border Protection, the primary objective of the technology is to increase the productivity of its resources by moving much of the mundane but necessary data collection duties to the passenger while they wait in queue. The self-processing kiosks will collect the passengers’ passport and flight information, declaration data, scan fingerprints, take a photo and issue a receipt to the passenger. The passenger then brings their passport and receipt to a CBP officer for verification. This program does not require passengers to register in advance. It will be available to all international passengers arriving at Orlando International Airport.

“With the forecast rate of international growth at Orlando International prompted by regional business expansion the addition of services and processes that improve the arrival experience for our travelers is welcomed. It benefits our airport and has proven to have a major economic impact on the businesses that serve Central Florida,” says Frank Kruppenbacher, Chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

As a Model Port (port of entry) designated by the United States Customs and Border Protection, Orlando International Airport continues its goal to introduce the latest high technology to process international passenger arrivals quicker and more efficiently.

In April, Orlando International became the first airport in the nation to collaborate with the CBP to automate the I-94 documentation for entry into the United States. The introduction of that program has also helped to reduce wait times and streamline the arrival process for international passengers.

“Orlando International Airport has long been a receptive participant in testing and implementing various forms of new technology to enhance and improve processes especially in the areas of safety and security. This new kiosk system is a logical step for us to explore as we continue to grow our international business and look for ways to enhance “The Orlando Experience,”® says Phil Brown, Executive Director of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

The self-service kiosks are being developed for the Authority by SITA a leading specialist in air transport communications and information technology. Orlando International processed a record 3.7 million international passengers in 2012 and so far this year is recording double-digit growth of 10.8 percent.

My immediate query revolves around the number of self-service kiosks and their accessibility. I'll be interested to see how it works in practice. Sounds promising, though.

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

Sounds like a step in the right direction

 

[wayneg]

I will wait and see how it goes before deciding on this one.
If anythng like the self service check in for flights it will take twice as long as someone doing it manually.
Last month Self service check in with Delta took me at least 10 mins, a member of staff takes 2-3 mins manually. Such a slow system.

I don't see how it can speed it up, you have to do it yourself reading whats on the screens, double checking you have it correct then goto an officer to verify it.
As you say Deb, it all down to numbers of kiosks, I would say they need 3 or 4 times the amount of kiosks to officers, if its just 1 kiosk to 1 officer then it will be slower.

Glad I am getting it done it Ireland this summer.

 

[Samaya]

Also found this report on a new system at O'Hare.

Chicago Aviation Department plans to have 32 automated kiosks installed within O’Hare by 1st July. This will allow US citizens to bypass the lengthy paper declaration card process when arriving, saving on time and resources.

O’Hare will be the first airport in the US to receive the kiosks, following a successful trial in Vancouver International Airport earlier this month. The touch-screen kiosks will ask passengers a series of questions, producing a receipt once completed. Passengers then take this receipt, along with their passport and boarding pass, to a Customs & Border Protection officer for verification.

“This technology will help expedite customs processing for passengers arriving to O’Hare, further strengthening Chicago as a global destination,” said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel: “Being the first airport in the U.S. to implement these advances demonstrates how serious we are about making Chicago the first, best and most welcoming city in the country.”

The kiosks are free to use, require no prior registration, and will address what is frequently listed as passengers’ biggest complaint – waiting times in customs.

 

[Samaya]

Glad I am getting it done it Ireland this summer.

Sorry Wayne, you might well find a similar system that's being tested at Dublin this summer, just found this report.... let us know how you get on if you have to use it..............

Dublin Airport in Ireland is trialling SITA's automated border control (ABC) gates, which allow self-service immigration control and faster immigration clearance.

Deployed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) and the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) to explore both passenger acceptance, as well as the efficiency of the gates, SITA's iBorders biometric gates accurately detect each passenger through facial recognition.

Currently processing around 1,000 passengers per day in 7.5 seconds each, the system biometrically captures a passenger's face and verifies it with their passport, and against border authority checklists.

The NeoFace face recognition software, being the core element in the solution, aims to offer high accuracy and selectivity, despite the size of the database and image quality.

Ireland Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence Alan Shatter that said border control arrangements at Dublin Airport are currently undergoing a major change.

"Immigration control processes are being reviewed and leading-edge border technology such as automated gates is being tested," Shatter said.
"Many major European airports are adopting a similar trend towards the deployment of automated gates for immigration control functions to enhance passengers' experience on arrival at airports while also strengthening border security.

"The trial period will test the suitability of e-gates for use at Dublin Airport with a view to providing a more secure and efficient means for clearing passengers through immigration control"

The trial, which will last until October 2013, forms part of EU member states' implementation of recommendations to shift to self-service border control by means of ABC gates.
Issued 14 May 2013.

 

[wayneg]

Sorry Wayne, you might well find a similar system that's being tested at Dublin this summer, just found this report.... let us know how you get on if you have to use it..............

Great, that will be fun, Matt will be travelling with his J-1 Visa and staying there hopefully. Could be interesting. Glad with have 3 hours 40mins in Dublin.

 

[scoobydooby]

This was on the BBC news this morning, or the story about chaos at US airports was. Miami is worst, Orlando 5th worst. The travel correspondent expressed concerns re people making interconnecting flights. He did say Dublin was a good option. I'd still rather wait 3 hours at immigration than 3 or more hours transferring planes personally. (Rather not wait at all of course)!

 

[Elise79]

Sorry Wayne, you might well find a similar system that's being tested at Dublin this summer, just found this report.... let us know how you get on if you have to use it..............

Dublin Airport in Ireland is trialling SITA's automated border control (ABC) gates, which allow self-service immigration control and faster immigration clearance.

Deployed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) and the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) to explore both passenger acceptance, as well as the efficiency of the gates, SITA's iBorders biometric gates accurately detect each passenger through facial recognition.

Currently processing around 1,000 passengers per day in 7.5 seconds each, the system biometrically captures a passenger's face and verifies it with their passport, and against border authority checklists.

The NeoFace face recognition software, being the core element in the solution, aims to offer high accuracy and selectivity, despite the size of the database and image quality.

Ireland Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence Alan Shatter that said border control arrangements at Dublin Airport are currently undergoing a major change.

"Immigration control processes are being reviewed and leading-edge border technology such as automated gates is being tested," Shatter said.
"Many major European airports are adopting a similar trend towards the deployment of automated gates for immigration control functions to enhance passengers' experience on arrival at airports while also strengthening border security.

"The trial period will test the suitability of e-gates for use at Dublin Airport with a view to providing a more secure and efficient means for clearing passengers through immigration control"

The trial, which will last until October 2013, forms part of EU member states' implementation of recommendations to shift to self-service border control by means of ABC gates.
Issued 14 May 2013.

I would say that is for incoming passenger as the Outbound US Immigration is controller and staffed by US Customs & Border officers.

They sound similar to the e-gates at Gatwick

 

[irisheyes123]

Sorry Wayne, you might well find a similar system that's being tested at Dublin this summer, just found this report.... let us know how you get on if you have to use it..............

It's going to be done in terminal 1 so won't affect the flights to the USA as they are through terminal 2

 

[paulh]

This was on the BBC news this morning, or the story about chaos at US airports was. Miami is worst, Orlando 5th worst. The travel correspondent expressed concerns re people making interconnecting flights. He did say Dublin was a good option. I'd still rather wait 3 hours at immigration than 3 or more hours transferring planes personally. (Rather not wait at all of course)!

this is not to do with the new systems being introduced,more sequester budget cuts as they haven't agreed a budget. Cuts come in Automaticity as nothing is agreed.would expect them to agree before we go USA aug
Paul

 

[2Tiggies]

I wonder how many exceptions there will be to those wanting to use the automated system. I would imagine it would be similar to the concept of OLCI and self check in at airports (where you complete part of the check in process at a kiosk, scanning passports etc) but still have to have parts of the process completed by a human. There are always certain travelers who are not eligible for this and have to queue up for the full on check by a person. Just wondering what the criteria will be to qualify to opt to use it.

 

[darthtatty]

I wonder how many exceptions there will be to those wanting to use the automated system. I would imagine it would be similar to the concept of OLCI and self check in at airports (where you complete part of the check in process at a kiosk, scanning passports etc) but still have to have parts of the process completed by a human. There are always certain travelers who are not eligible for this and have to queue up for the full on check by a person. Just wondering what the criteria will be to qualify to opt to use it.

good point

Disabled travellers are usually excluded fromt hings like this, so would be interesting to hear from others when they start using the system.