Indonesia pioneers ‘seamless corridor’ tech in airports

Developed by Amadeus, the “seamless corridor” system allows passengers to be identified while walking, removing the need to stop, queue, or present a passport. 

Cameras capture biometric data as travellers move through a wide passageway, verifying their identity against pre-registered details.

The system is initially aimed at elderly and disabled passengers who need extra assistance, but authorities plan to broaden access as the technology becomes more established. 

Eligible travellers can enrol through the All Indonesia mobile app, which consolidates immigration, health, quarantine, and customs procedures.

Three corridors are currently operational: two in Jakarta and one in Surabaya. They complement more than 240 automated e-gates already in service and mark the beginning of a wider national rollout across Indonesia’s airport network.

The technology was stress-tested during this year’s Hajj travel period, when Indonesia processed a large share of the world’s pilgrims. Each corridor handled more than 30 crossings per minute at peak times — over ten times the throughput of standard e-gates — enabling more than 50,000 pilgrims to enter the country using facial recognition.

Officials say the expansion could ease congestion at immigration during major travel periods, including the Hajj season and domestic holiday peaks. 

Industry leaders described the corridors as a significant step towards truly contactless travel. 

While uptake of biometric identity checks varies widely between countries, adoption is rising across Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Some advanced models, including the UAE’s, already allow passengers to travel from check-in to boarding using only facial recognition.

Experts noted that the biggest barriers to global rollout are public confidence and regulatory frameworks rather than technical limits. Advocates argued that participation must remain voluntary, with passengers free to opt for manual processing if they prefer.