The Transportation Security Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection are expanding biometric and digital identification programs across multiple U.S. airports effective September 2026. The nation’s first touchless biometric e-gates for TSA PreCheck passengers launched at Newark Liberty Airport Terminal C during the Labor Day travel period. Concurrently, CBP deployed Enhanced Passenger Processing at Bermuda’s L.F. Wade International Airport preclearance using facial comparison technology. Denver International Airport began accepting myColorado mobile driver’s licenses at TSA security checkpoints.
TSA and CBP Official Statements on Biometric and Mobile ID Deployment
Greg Hawko, TSA federal security director at Newark Liberty Airport, confirmed that while there are no current plans to expand the biometric e-gates
to other terminals, “the hope is, as it progresses, we can expand it across the airport.” The biometric e-gates were developed with United Airlines and enable face biometric verification of identity and boarding details without requiring physical IDs or boarding passes. TSA Colorado Federal Security Director Douglas Cruz emphasized the role of identity verification, stating, “The process of verifying identities is fundamental to ensuring transportation security.” He added, “By enabling travelers to use mobile driver’s licenses, we are leveraging technology to strengthen security and streamline our operations. Our TSA officers are fully trained to accept and process myColorado mDLs, and
we are glad to provide this convenient option for those departing DEN and our other state airports.”
Traveler Impact and Program Implementation at Select Airports
At Newark Liberty Airport Terminal C, TSA PreCheck passengers can now use face biometrics to verify their identities and boarding details without showing physical identification or boarding passes. This pilot program coincided with the busy Labor Day travel season. In Bermuda, CBP’s Enhanced Passenger Processing at L.F. Wade International’s preclearance facility allows U.S. citizens to experience faster inspections by matching traveler faces to passport records within seconds. The Bermuda airport operator, Skyport, invested in this biometric rollout after studying similar technologies deployed in
Aruba.
Denver International Airport began accepting myColorado mobile driver’s licenses at TSA checkpoints using Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2). TSA officers compare real-time photos to digital licenses to verify identity and confirm boarding without requiring physical boarding passes. With Colorado joining 20 other states accepting mobile IDs for TSA security, travelers departing Denver and multiple other Colorado airports benefit from this streamlined process.
Transition from Pilots to Operational Services and Timeline
The biometric e-gates introduced at Newark Liberty represent the first implementation of touchless face biometric verification for TSA PreCheck in the U.S. While this system currently operates only at Terminal C, expansion across the airport is a future
objective. Similarly, CBP’s Enhanced Passenger Processing system at Bermuda and the acceptance of mobile driver’s licenses at Denver International highlight the broader move from pilot projects to operational services. These programs collectively broaden biometric and digital ID use in air travel starting September 2026.
Background and Industry Investment in Biometric Technologies
The adoption of biometric and digital identity technologies is accelerating in U.S. air travel to improve security and passenger flow. Airport operator Skyport’s investment in Bermuda’s biometric system followed the observation of successful deployments in Aruba, demonstrating industry interest in proven international models. Mobile identity wallets and biometric verification are shifting from experimental trials to standard
processes, reflecting a strategic trend by TSA and CBP to implement touchless, technology-driven identity verification methods nationwide.
