Amadeus and JFKIAT, the operator of Terminal 4 at JFK Airport, announced that Terminal 4 is deploying Amadeus’ Auto Bag Drop (ABD) and Next Generation Kiosk (NGK) self-service technology with the goal of improving the passenger flow through the airport.
With the new self-service experience, passengers can check in and print their bag tag at one of 86 Amadeus kiosks before introducing their bag to one of 42 Series 7 Auto Bag Drop units. All kiosks and bag drops will be equipped with biometric function, which once activated, will further simplify the self-service experience by identifying passengers through facial recognition.
“JFKIAT shares Amadeus’ vision for the future of travel with an elevated passenger experience and a seamless flow that is enabled by self-service and biometrics,” said Roel Huinink, president and CEO of JFKIAT. “As part of our extensive Terminal 4 transformation and redevelopment plans, we are proud to launch these self-service technologies and are confident that we will continue to offer an enhanced experience for passengers travelling through our terminal.”
This new technology is part of Terminal 4’s $1.5B transformation, a major component of the redevelopment program for JFK International Airport, which was announced in 2021 and is currently in progress. In the future, JFKIAT will have the option to introduce biometrics at these service points so travelers can choose to check in and drop their bags using facial recognition, rather than presenting paper travel documents. If they wish, passengers will be able to enroll for biometrics from home by capturing a ‘selfie’ using their mobile phone, making the airport experience even smoother.
“Passengers increasingly demand a frictionless experience, with robust self-service options. With this transformation, JFKIAT is demonstrating its commitment to become one of the world’s most technologically advanced airports,” said Betros Wakim, SVP airport and airline operations, Americas, Amadeus. “We look forward to helping JFKIAT fulfil its long-term vision to deliver an automated, efficient, and future-ready experience.”
Terminal 4 is currently home to 22 international and domestic airlines. JFKIAT is owned by Schiphol USA Inc., a U.S. affiliate of Amsterdam-based airport operator Royal Schiphol Group.