Balancing Airport Security and Passenger Facilitation in Aviation

Abstract

Airport security has to adjust to a growing number of passengers while maintaining high levels of accuracy in screening. It is crucial for airport managers to explore and implement potential upgrades in the security process without compromising the passenger experience. Biometric technology emerges as an efficient solution, enabling secure clearance based on individual biometric features. Despite its effectiveness, both airports and passengers have been hesitant to embrace this technology. Moreover, limited research exists on passengers' attitudes towards repeat use of biometric security. To bridge this gap, our study focused on understanding passengers' initial and repeat usage intentions by examining the perceived benefits and risks associated with biometric security technology through a survey involving 327 participants. By using structural equation modeling to analyze the data, we established that both perceived benefits and risks significantly influence passengers' intention to initially adopt and repeatedly use biometric security. This research sheds light on how airport practitioners can create value for travelers while managing the challenges involved in implementing biometric security measures within airport settings.