AUTOMATED BORDER CONTROL - GROWTH, TRENDS, PANDEMIC IMPACT, AND FORECASTS (2022 - 2030)
The Automated Border Control is segmented by Type (ABC E-gates, ABC Kiosks), Offerings (Hardware, Software, Services), Application (Airports, Land ports, Seaports), and Geography.
Overview
The automated border control market is expected to witness a CAGR of 16.25% over the forecast period (2021-2026). Over the past few years, a rapidly increasing demand for border crossing was witnessed, where the need to speed up the clearance process at the Border Crossing Points (BCP) has been significant. The Automated Border Control (ABC) gates, or the e-Gates, can verify the travelers' identities that are crossing the borders by exploiting their biometric traits without the need for constant human intervention.
Biometric technologies always had a relevant impact on the improvement of efficiency, effectiveness, and Security of the checking processes. The automated biometric recognition can increase the border processing throughput, as well as facilitate the clearance procedures. To grant the passage of the border, the e-Gate compares the traveler's biometric samples stored in the electronic document with live acquisitions.
With the emergence of microprocessor-based passports, they have been the catalyst for reengineering the processes, from enrolment to issuance. They are now facilitating border control as automatic border control gates are being implemented in multiple airports. With more than 1000 million ePassports now in circulation, smart airports and smart borders are emerging at a rapid pace. Moreover, combined with a strong push behind biometrics (particularly face recognition), an extensive range of automated, self-service airport facilities are being offered for the passengers, from check-in to immigration control and boarding.
As Security across the world is heightened, and international passenger volumes are exponentially increasing, the automated border control solutions are gaining momentum. The kiosk solution and hybrid eGates/kiosks solution provide customizable options that can help modernize border management. They also ensure that passengers' airport experience is efficient, safe, and seamless while evolving with the changing needs and pace of future travelers.
Governments of various countries have been deploying biometric readers for multiple purposes, including law enforcement, public identity, border control, employee identification, access control, and attendance. Some large-scale deployment of the technology includes the UK Iris Recognition Immigration System (IRIS) project, India's Aadhar project, and US Visitor and Immigration Status Indicator Technology (VISIT).
Moreover, Colombia is developing enhanced Security with new electronic passport integrating Gemalto secure ePassport technologies. The project is working to deliver electronic passports to support the rapid deployment of the original machine-readable passports for 38 million citizens.
Further, in April 2020, the Everis Aerospace, Defense, and Security adapted its biometric identity solutions to offer additional capabilities to help face the ongoing Covid-19 health crisis. The adaptation of the solutions primarily affects two relevant aspects. On the one hand, the company has integrated temperature control systems in its kiosks, face pods, and biometric and document identification totems, and also in its ABC (Automated Border Control) doors.
Scope of the Solutions
Automated border control systems are automated self-service barriers that use data stored in the chip in biometric passports to verify a user's identity. International travelers undergo biometric verification using face, fingerprint, iris recognition, or a combination of modalities. The scope of the study for the automated border control market considers the vendors offering products, for both e-gates and kiosks type of solutions.
Airport Applications are Expected to Witness a Rapid Growth
The aviation industry is anticipated to hold a significant market share and is expected to continue its position during the forecast period, primarily due to the substantial rise in the number of airports and the exponential increase in air passenger traffic. The increasing threat of terrorist attacks and the security standards that have been set by the international authorities that include IATA, ICAO, and ACI are among the two most influential drivers sustaining the market studied.
Airways are the most preferred means for international travelers, due to obvious reasons, like travel time and convenience. According to the European Commission, more than 887 million travelers are expected to make arrivals across the European Union. With this enormous difference in traffic, the automated border control system's adoption rate is significantly high compared to seaports and land ports. In December 2019, 12 new automated, pre-security e-gates were installed at the Auckland Airport, which can scan boarding passes and grant passengers’ access to secure areas.
The number of airports investing in automated border control, check-in, and bag drop solutions, worldwide, is increasing, for enhancing the airport operational efficiency. Airline services provider, SITA, estimated that over 72% of the air travelers in 2019 used one of these self-service solutions, thus, creating a key differentiator for the overall passenger value proposition.
Recently in the United States, an Automated Passport Control (APC) program was introduced to expedite the Canadians' entry process, US passengers, and the passengers eligible for Visa Waiver Program, by providing an automated process through CBP's Primary Inspection area. Such initiatives by the government are estimated to drive the market studied.
Additionally, in Jan 2020, Vilnius Airport passengers were also using an automated border control system. Ten smart self-service gates have been installed in the capital's air gates that will primarily enable organizing the traffic of arriving and departing passengers efficiently. This kind of border control system is currently not available at any other airports in the Baltic States and Poland.