New: Biometric system at Taba crossing
Israel Airports Authority introduces computerized identification system in land terminals, in order to cut waiting time for registered users
The Israel Airport Authority (IAA) announced this week it would start operating a biometric identification system at Israel's land border terminals. The computerized system, which is identical to the one already in use at Ben Gurion Airport, has already started operating at the Taba crossing on the Israeli-Egypt border.
The system would allow passengers that have registered for the Ben Gurion system to use their passage card at the computerized posts, thus substantially cutting waiting time at the terminal.
The system, a unique Israeli development, has been used successfully at Ben Gurion Airport in the last 10 years, and already serves about 700,000 registered users.
The Taba crossing, which is located some 6 miles south of Eilat, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and mainly serves Israelis visiting Sinai. It is the southernmost border point between Israel and Egypt.
2008 saw a 25% increase in passenger traffic at the crossing.
The IAA is also expected to install a biometric system at the Allenby crossing between Israel and Jordan.
