Americans Are Embracing Biometric Security at Airports

The results are in. And as it turns out, despite the naysayers, Americans are happy about the use of biometric security measures at airports.

The U.S. Travel Association, in conjunction with Ipsos, have just released survey results underscoring this reality.

Travelers it seems, enjoy the efficiency that biometric technology provides at airports, as well as the enhanced security it offers.

More specifically, the survey results showed that:

• All manner of travelers support using biometrics at TSA security checkpoints to confirm a passenger's identity, including: 79% of all air travelers, 78% of Americans, 80% of Democrats, and 76% of Republicans.
• A range of travelers also agree that verifying traveler identity is an important measure taken by TSA to protect the flying public, including: 92% of Americans, 95% of air travelers.
• Nine in ten air travelers say they would be more likely, or equally likely, to support biometric use at TSA security checkpoints if it reduces the typical time it takes to get through security by 5 to 15 minutes.
• Supporters of TSA biometrics primarily do so because they believe it helps stops terrorism and human trafficking (71%) and makes airports safer (66%).
• Six in ten Americans (60%), including Democrats (62%) and Republicans (56%), trust the TSA with their biometric data.

An overwhelming majority of Americans want the option to use biometrics at TSA security checkpoints. When asked about how fair it is for a senator to prevent air travelers from choosing for themselves whether to use biometrics for more secure and efficient travel experience, only 16% of Americans support the senator’s efforts.

“By overwhelming margins, air travelers support TSA’s use of biometric technology at airports to strengthen security and improve the travel experience,” Geoff Freeman, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO, said in a statement.

“Travelers embrace next-generation technology at the same time a small cadre of members of Congress seek to take air travel back to the Dark Ages,” Freeman added. “Further efforts to harm the travel experience by forcing antiquated approaches upon travelers will have consequences among voters.” 

Freeman added that with the coming decade of major global sporting events taking place in the United States, politicians in Washington should act quickly to fund and implement the use of biometric technology at the nation’s airports.

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