Airline faces up to e-check in

All Nippon Airways (ANA) has introduced a new way for passengers to check in to Tokyo's Narita airport using a very distinctive form of ID – their face.

Travellers will have their faces scanned in the departure lobby and again at the boarding gates by two types of "e-check in" machines at the airport, which will use biometrics technology to verify the identity of the passenger, which the airline describes as the "first of their kind in the world."

The scheme will run on a trial basis from December to the end of March next year and is run on a voluntary basis – travellers with e-tickets will be able to opt to check-in using the technology. ANA serves 45 airports within in Japan and 20 abroad – the e-check in option will only be available to those flying internationally.

Japan's Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport is promoting the idea of an e-airport to improve safety as well as convenience for travellers. It's hoped that if the trial is a success it will bring the idea of the e-airport closer to fruition.

The scheme will be run in conjunction with Narita Airport Authority, NTT Data Corporation and Oki Electric Industries.