BER Expands Contactless Biometric Access for Security

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) has expanded its contactless BER Biometrics service to additional security checkpoints in Terminal 1, allowing more passengers to pass through security using facial recognition instead of presenting a boarding pass.

 

Travellers can now use the biometric system at security controls 1 and 5, both equipped with modern CT scanners. Registered users should enter through the outer access points located directly at the glass façade. The service is also available at the BER Runway entrance and the central departure area.

To use BER Biometrics, passengers must register once via the SmartDepart app by:

 

• Creating a profile

• Taking a selfie and uploading their boarding pass

• Activating facial recognition

 

Once registered, travellers can access marked biometric lanes throughout Terminal 1. The service also covers the central border control, providing a fully contactless experience from entry to departure.

Passengers aged 16 and over can register voluntarily through the SmartDepart app, operated by Airsphere. The system uses onsite photos, which are compared with encrypted reference files generated from the app selfie—not the original images—to verify the traveller’s identity. If the match is successful, the airport receives boarding pass details and grants access.

All matched data is deleted after the flight, while personal data in the app remains under the user’s control.

The service can be reserved for the day of travel through the SmartDepart app.