Sydney Airport has unveiled a trial of a digital incoming passenger card to speed up travel at Australia’s biggest gateway.
In partnership with Qantas, passengers flying from Auckland or Queenstown in New Zealand will be able to complete their declaration digitally before they fly, rather than having to fill out a paper form on the flight.
When these passengers land at Sydney, they will receive a digital pass with a QR code, which they show to border and biosecurity officers.
As it stands, the trial is only available to Qantas customers via the airline’s app.
Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Tony Burke said travellers will benefit from the new trial.
“When people arrive in Sydney, I want them out of the airport and experiencing the city as fast as possible,” he said
“Extending the trial to Australia’s busiest airport means every day, hundreds more passengers will have a more seamless travel experience.”
The trial is part of a wider effort to work towards contactless travel in the future, which will utilise digital credentials and facial recognition, which is claimed will make journeys easier for travellers.
Sydney Airport also announced 32 new SmartGate kiosks would be deployed by early next year.
The airport claims will allow frontline officers to assist travellers requiring extra support.
