Aviation coalition urges EU to support voluntary biometrics, with relevance for Cyprus airports

Larnaca, Cyprus. A European aviation industry coalition is urging EU policymakers to support the voluntary, secure use of biometrics, arguing that wider adoption could reduce queues and repeated document checks. The initiative has particular relevance for Cyprus, which relies heavily on air travel and already uses facial recognition at Larnaca and Paphos airports.

Coalition seeks passenger choice and privacy safeguards

ACI EUROPE, Amadeus, IATA, IDEMIA Public Security and SITA recently announced the formation of the Responsible Biometrics Travel Industry Coalition.

The coalition is calling on European Union policymakers to ensure new digital rules do not unintentionally restrict passengers from choosing biometric travel. It wants the Digital Omnibus to support voluntary and secure biometric use while maintaining passenger choice and strong privacy safeguards.

The industry argues that wider, more integrated use of biometrics could make airport journeys more seamless, including at Larnaca and Paphos, as Cyprus seeks to strengthen air connectivity and accommodate large passenger volumes.

Facial recognition already used in Cyprus

Hermes Airports, which operates both of Cyprus’ international airports, currently uses BorderXpress self-service kiosks. Passengers scan their passports or identity cards before proceeding through passport control.

The system uses facial recognition to compare a passenger’s face with the photograph stored on the document’s chip. If the automated check is unsuccessful, the passenger is directed to an immigration officer.

Biometric technology is therefore already in use in Cyprus, although the coalition is advocating broader integration across the airport journey.

Airports handle millions of passengers

Reducing queues and repeated document checks could become increasingly important as Cyprus handles millions of passengers each year and seeks to maintain connectivity despite periodic disruption caused by regional instability.

According to Hermes Airports, Larnaca and Paphos airports handled 8.82 million passengers between January and August 2026. That was 3.3 per cent below the exceptional level recorded in the same period of 2025, but 7.9 per cent above the corresponding period of 2024.

The figures highlight the volume of passengers Cyprus’ airport infrastructure must accommodate, particularly during the summer season.