WILLEMSTAD - On Monday, July 1, 2024, Curaçao celebrated a milestone when the Minister of Justice, Shalten Hato, became the first passenger to officially enter using the biometric system through the Curaçao Express Pass. Since June 25, a "soft launch" had been underway, allowing passengers to use this new system. One of the features that makes this unique worldwide is the ability to pre-process passengers before they arrive at Curaçao International Airport. Through a coordinated effort, passengers can complete part of the identity verification process remotely from the comfort of their homes, which helps speed up their entry upon arrival in Curaçao. This pre-processing ability allows for better passenger data management, ensuring a smoother transition through various airport checkpoints.
How Does the Curaçao Express Pass Work?
Tourists traveling to Curaçao must fill out the digital immigration card (https://dicardcuracao.com/dicard). After completing the DI card, eligible passengers will be invited to use the Airside application and click on the link to be directed to the Curaçao Express Pass service within the Airside app.
Once the passenger downloads the free Airside Digital Identity App, they can continue using their phone to take a selfie, scan the MRZ on the passport page, and read the NFC chip. The app compares the facial biometrics and passport data to confirm the person's identity and then creates a digital identity stored only on the user’s phone. Airside uses decentralized technology; no personal data is stored on Airside’s servers. The passenger then reviews this easy-to-understand form and authorizes sharing this information with Curaçao border officials.
Upon arrival, all passengers from the UK, EU, US, and CAN, starting from age 16, are eligible to use the Curaçao Express Pass. When passengers approach the Curaçao Express Pass eGates, they simply look into the camera. The system then compares the live image with the biometric data stored in their electronic travel documents. Once immigration verifies this, the gate opens automatically, allowing the passenger to proceed. This process takes less than a few seconds per passenger. This innovative solution enables passengers to enjoy a contactless identification experience without presenting documents upon arrival.
The Curaçao Express Pass program launched its first phase on July 1, 2024; the second phase will include digital guidance totems, which will be incorporated later in the year, before the December tourist "high season." The intention is to continue developing this technology to increase efficiency and allow innovation, enabling passengers to enjoy this technology not only upon entry to Curaçao but soon also when leaving the country. This process is designed to be fast and efficient, eliminating the time spent on manual identity verification. The integration of this technology is expected to significantly improve the overall efficiency of passenger flow at the airport.
During the launch ceremony of the Curaçao Express Pass, the Minister of Justice, Shalten Hato; the Minister of Economic Development, Ruisandro Cijntje; the Director of Curaçao Airport Holding (CAH), Wilhelmus Ignacio; and the COO of Curaçao Airport Partners (CAP), Michael Hoenenberger, gave speeches to thank the efforts of more than 80 people who made it possible for this world-first app to be launched today. As a small island, we have demonstrated not only in the Caribbean or Latin America but to the entire world that we could achieve this innovation. Minister Hato expressed gratitude to both Minguel Lei from Vision Box and Adam Tsao, CEO of Airside, for their collaboration in realizing Curaçao's dream. Finally, the Minister of Justice thanked Priscilla Duin-Circkens from Curaçao Airport Holding, who dedicated herself entirely to this project, and together with the Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Oleana from EY, and the entire team, worked tirelessly for 10 years so that today Curaçao can shine with this achievement.
