Thales and Inetum Deliver Smarter Border Management at Spanish Valencia and Bilbao Airports

Thales provide the airports of Valencia and Bilbao with more than 45 Automatic Border Control gates (ABC Gates) leveraging facial recognition and automatic document verification. Thales is responsible for the identity verification and smart access control, while Inetum implements manual verifiers and the real-time monitoring system. Both companies collaborated on the integration and installation in the airports.

These new smart access points have already been in operation since July at Valencia and Bilbao Airports, in which passengers have already been able to verify greater agility. The system is key for National Police officers since it simplifies their operations. Fuerteventura airport is also currently in the deployment phase and will have 36 ABC Gates.

Automatic controls improve performance by providing agility, security and convenience when performing biometric identity checks inside the police databases. The officers remain in full control of operations and can proceed with extra security controls if necessary.

“This technology eases passenger management at borders by verifying the traveler’s identity and travel documents, including biometric checks. The new system ultimately speeds up the identification process,” explains Juan Carlos Crespo, Inetum’s Deputy General Manager for Iberia & Latam areas.

“We are proud to support the work of the National Police and AENA, by creating a safe and agile airport environment, without compromising the traveller experience,” says Jesús Sánchez Bargos, Country Director and CEO of Thales Spain.