The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) launched the V-Pass facial recognition biometric system and started deploying it across Nigerian domestic airports in July 2026. The system uses facial recognition technology to verify passengers and aims to expedite identification processes at terminals nationwide.
Biometric Expansions in U.S. Airports
In the United States, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) activated touchless biometric e-gates at Newark Liberty Airport’s Terminal C for TSA PreCheck passengers. Developed in partnership with United Airlines, these e-gates allow identity and boarding verification via facial biometrics without requiring physical IDs or boarding passes. TSA federal security director Greg Hawko stated that while there are
no current plans to extend the e-gates beyond Terminal C, “the hope is, as it progresses, we can expand it across the airport.”
At Denver International Airport, TSA began accepting myColorado mobile driver’s licenses at security checkpoints. Using Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2), TSA officers compare a traveler’s live photo to the digital license and verify boarding details without needing a physical boarding pass. Colorado is one of 21 U.S. states whose mobile driver’s licenses are accepted for TSA identification. Douglas Cruz, TSA Colorado Federal Security Director, emphasized, “The process of verifying identities is fundamental to ensuring transportation security,” adding that
enabling mobile IDs “strengthen[s] security and streamline[s] our operations.”
Facial Recognition Technology in Bermuda
At Bermuda’s L.F. Wade International Airport, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) implemented Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP), which uses facial comparison to match travelers’ images to passport records within seconds. The airport operator Skyport invested in this facial recognition rollout after reviewing comparable technology used in Aruba. The system focuses on facilitating faster inspections for U.S. citizens through biometric verification.
Passenger Benefits and Implementation Status
Domestic travelers in Nigeria can utilize the V-Pass biometric system for faster identification and boarding starting July 2026. TSA PreCheck passengers at Newark Liberty Airport benefit from touchless identity verification that
eliminates the need for physical documents. At Denver International, the acceptance of myColorado mobile driver’s licenses provides passengers an additional document option verified biometrically, speeding security processing.
Greg Hawko of TSA noted the biometric e-gate program at Newark remains a pilot, with potential expansion contingent on its progress. Douglas Cruz highlighted that TSA officers are fully trained to accept and process mobile IDs like the myColorado mobile driver’s license, underscoring the increasing operational integration of digital identity technologies in airports.
