SYDNEY: Brisbane Airport is set to host a pilot of new technology enabling automated departures for Australian and New Zealand travellers. If successful, the pilot will form the model for the rollout of automated technology to all Australian airports.
The pilot, according to Robyn Miller, national manager of passenger policy and practice at the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, follows a commitment within last year’s budget that the agency would undertake a live trial of automated departure technology by the end of the 2013-14 financial year.
So far, Customs has completed a request for tender (RFT) for the technology, and has set up a panel to provide that technology. A request for quote (RFQ) on the technology to be used in the pilot will be issued in early December.
The departures process would closely resemble the use of e-passports at SmartGates by inbound travellers, Miller said.
