BorderXpress is in use at 25 airports across Canada, the US and the Caribbean, serving more than 75 million passengers at over 750 kiosks.
Vancouver Airport Authority first introduced its self-service BorderXpress machines in 2009. There are now over 750 kiosks at airports across Canada, the US, and the Caribbean, with plans to expand to airports worldwide. Linda Schucroft, Director of Innovative Travel Solutions, outlined the future of BorderXpress to Samantha Jenkins.
Providing an efficient and quick border control solution is a vital part of the modern airport. Travellers seek a streamlined process and welcoming arrival, a trend Vancouver Airport Authority is embracing. Its world-first self-service BorderXpress kiosks have been shown to significantly increase international arrival traffic and reduce wait times, without the need to expand terminal facilities.
BorderXpress is in use at 25 airports across Canada, the US and the Caribbean, serving more than 75 million passengers at over 750 kiosks. The launch of a new kiosk, which is complete and ready to be installed, will enable more countries to feel the benefits of self-service border control. BorderXpress Global features an updated and modern design, complete with additional biometric capabilities, and can be programmed to provide service in up to 37 languages. The kiosk can be configured to meet the immigration needs of virtually any government in the world.
The new BorderXpress Global kiosk has an updated and modern design, complete with additional biometric capabilities. The kiosk is fully accessible to all travellers and can be programmed to provide service in up to 37 languages.
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) BorderXpress configuration, for example, includes US and Canadian passport holders, US Permanent Residents, travellers from visa-waiver countries, and travellers with a US-issued visa.
The unique two-step process enables passengers to complete the data entry function at the kiosk, which sends encrypted information to a border control agency. Within seconds, the government response is returned and the traveller can progress to a border control officer who verifies the receipt.
“YVR’s BorderXpress kiosks automate the administrative functions of border control, helping to speed up the process by up to 89% with no pre-registration or cost to passengers,” said Linda Schucroft, Director of Innovative Travel Solutions, Vancouver Airport Authority. “With this increased efficiency, travellers arriving at BorderXpress-equipped airports experience a much better arrival experience with shorter wait times and less congestion.”
Schucroft highlighted two airports where BorderXpress kiosks have produced exceptional results. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has seen the average border wait time decrease by 25% between 2013 and 2015 despite significant passenger growth; and average wait times have been reduced by 31.4% at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
The figures are certainly impressive, and the continued commitment to innovation at Vancouver Airport Authority has presented myriad opportunities for BorderXpress. The latest airports to install BorderXpress kiosks include Portland International Airport, Salt Lake City International Airport, and New York-JFK (Terminal 8). Earlier this year, BorderXpress was also implemented at Canada Place Cruise Terminal at Port Metro Vancouver, which Schucroft enthused is the world’s first self-service border control solution at a seaport. “We want every border processing facility, whether that is an airport, a seaport, or a land border crossing to offer their passengers a seamless arrivals process with the help of BorderXpress,” she said.
Indeed, with a proven track record, strong market presence and innovative approach, the scope for BorderXpress to broaden its international portfolio is looking very promising. “We have done very well within North America and the Caribbean, securing the most market share, which has been fantastic,” Schucroft concluded. “We are currently working with a number of government agencies and airport authorities in Europe, Asia and Latin America to introduce our technology to their countries and major airports.”
