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New technology: How biometrics help make boarding easier and more secure

In cooperation with the Bundesdruckerei (German state printing office), Lufthansa Systems is currently developing a new technology supporting the biometrics-aided self-boarding.

The SecBoard prototype identifies passengers by their finger prints. The digitally processed finger print is not only tied to the person but also forgery-proof. The data is saved with the so-called basic access procedure which is also being applied for the new German electronic passport. This will not only increase safety but also be more comfortable and save time and money for all parties involved.

From October 11 to 14, Lufthansa Systems will introduce its SecBoard prototype and the other solutions at booth A108 in hangar 4 at InterAirport, the world’s leading fair for airport equipment. Among other highlights presented at the fair is a CUSS (Common Use Self Service) kiosk, which will be available at the booth for demonstration. As a strategic partner of IATA’s Simplifying the Business initiative, Lufthansa Systems has been working on a solution to simplify check-in procedures with CUSS, allowing for reduced costs through joint use by several airlines.

"Aeroview": Ensuring continual contact between ground and air

Imagine being able to track an airline's position at all times. Today, airlines generally rely on radio contact to provide the ground staff with information on the plane’s whereabouts and status. This makes flight route planning fairly complicated for air traffic control on the ground. With "Aeroview", a new application from Lufthansa Systems, this is about to change.

As part of Lufthansa Systems' tried and tested flight planning system Lido Operation Center (Lido OC), "Aeroview" facilitates the coordination of procedures between dispatchers and pilots during a flight. It also allows decisions on route changes or stopovers to be made more quickly in the event of unforeseen events.

Up to now, airlines had to rely on elaborate radio contacts to determine the exact position and status of their aircraft in flight. In the United States in particular where FAA regulations require the dispatcher and pilot to discuss route changes jointly, this tool will be a welcome addition to Lido OC's range of features.

"Aeroview" links aeronautical information such as weather and airspace conditions with other data direct from the aircraft and radar stations on the ground to calculate the exact position, altitude, speed and direction of an airplane. Fuel reserves and other flight-related data can also be measured. The results are displayed graphically on the screen directly from the Lido OC system, allowing dispatchers to select suitable routes or alternate airports without having to carry out a complex search.

There are also plans to connect "Aeroview" with the weather portal integrated in Lido so that data relevant to a flight can be evaluated directly and weather alerts can be generated automatically. And "Aeroview" will not only be interesting for airlines. In the future, it will be possible to display the flight status of an aircraft on an airline's Internet portal so that passengers and their relatives will always know the current position of "their" plane.