03/08/2010 12:12 PM
Houston Intercontinental airport is set to trial a new gate automation system.
Plane operator Continental Airlines will test a new "self-boarding" gate system at the US airport, ABC News has said.
It will be the first testing of such a method in the country.
The news provider likens self-boarding to hopping on the New York subway system. Passengers simply swipe their boarding passes at an e-reader at the terminal gate. In doing so the turnstile opens and the path to the plane is clear.
There is no contact with an airport agent, but someone is on hand to help in case of problems.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) moved to placate any security fears.
Greg Soule, spokesperson for the TSA, told the news provider that the airport security group has "determined it does not impact the security of the travelling public".
Mr Soule also said that passengers will still go through standard screening processes at the boarding gates.
Two airports in Saudi Arabia have recently trialled a similar system.
Plane operator Continental Airlines will test a new "self-boarding" gate system at the US airport, ABC News has said.
It will be the first testing of such a method in the country.
The news provider likens self-boarding to hopping on the New York subway system. Passengers simply swipe their boarding passes at an e-reader at the terminal gate. In doing so the turnstile opens and the path to the plane is clear.
There is no contact with an airport agent, but someone is on hand to help in case of problems.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) moved to placate any security fears.
Greg Soule, spokesperson for the TSA, told the news provider that the airport security group has "determined it does not impact the security of the travelling public".
Mr Soule also said that passengers will still go through standard screening processes at the boarding gates.
Two airports in Saudi Arabia have recently trialled a similar system.
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