MONTEGO BAY — Travellers will have a faster time getting through immigration at Jamaica’s airports thanks to new kiosks that use biometric technology.

Designed to streamline passenger flow, these automated passport control systems – already featured at many airports worldwide – are being installed and tested at Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport and Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport. They’ll be used to scan a passenger’s passport and take a photo of their face, which will then be compared to the digital image stored in the passport’s microchip.

These kiosks will serve as an alternative to desks staffed by immigration officers, thereby allowing passengers to move through passport control more quickly. They’ll also free up immigration officers to concentrate on more critical border security duties.

As many as 100 immigration kiosks are expected to be implemented by the end of the year.

“We are very pleased that PICA is installing kiosks at our premier airports in Montego Bay and Kingston, as they will provide additional convenience for stopover visitors by speeding up processing times through the immigration halls,” said Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica. “This will provide a more seamless airport experience as we progress through our peak winter season, during which we expect to welcome record-breaking arrivals.”

Donovan White, Director of Tourism ,Jamaica Tourist Board, added: “The installation of automated kiosks for passport control at our airports is an excellent use of modern technology to improve the overall passenger experience at Jamaica’s airports, which is important as we continue to grow arrivals to the destination. Visitors’ first impressions of Jamaica’s overall tourism product take place upon landing, so we are glad to soon be able to enhance them.”

For more information go to www.visitjamaica.com.