Airports Council International – Latin America & Caribbean Board Meeting and Annual Assembly is taking place today at Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, hosted by Punta Cana International Airport. While the industry is facing a new reality, ACI-LAC proposes a clear and constructive positioning to stimulate air traffic growth; achieve economic balance; allow operational efficiency; improve the passenger experience and contribute to the re-establishment of air transport activity.
“With this face-to-face meeting, we want to facilitate the exchange of impressions and experiences in view of the current situation and prepare ourselves for the year 2021. We will also send a clear message of support to the air transport and tourism industries.,” says Dr. Rafael Echevarne, ACI-LAC Director General.
The Caribbean region is normally hit by severe weather storms, but none unleashed impacts quite like the coronavirus pandemic. The Dominican Republic main airport is a hub for international touristic traffic and has been investing in technology to improve passenger experience and support a healthiest, safest, and fastest recovery. Last month, PUJ installed SITA’s automated border control migration kiosks for arriving international travelers, establishing the airport as a “contactless” facility.
The system enables faster, secure traveler processing and offers “physical distance with less contact between passengers and immigration agents,” complementing biosecurity measures implemented by Punta Cana International, said Mr. Frank Elías Rainieri, CEO Punta Cana International Airport.
The airport has been leading the way with fully contactless immigration technology since the implementation of SITA’s automated border control (ABC) gates in January 2018.. SITA’s iBorders BorderAutomation ABCGates quickly confirm that the passenger is the passport holder and is authorized to enter the country. They use up-to-the-minute biometric technology to verify each passenger through facial recognition matched to a passenger’s passport data. This means fewer bottlenecks for travelers, improved satisfaction with airport services and the removal of physical touchpoints, mitigating the risks of contracting the COVID-19 virus.
