Astana Airport launches automated passport control system

Image: Astana Airport

In mid-December, an automated border control system was officially commissioned at the airport of Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana (NQZ). The system had previously been operating in a test mode.

Eight automated gates have been installed for passport control: three in the departure zone and five in the arrivals area, according to the airport authorities. The process is self-service: a passenger scans their passport at the gate, which reads the document’s data and photo. The system then automatically cross-checks the information against the “Berkut” Unified Information System (EIS) to confirm the individual’s permit for entry or exit. This technology reduces the time required for passport control to just 15–20 seconds.

The automated gates are currently available to citizens of Kazakhstan aged 14 and older for departures, and 18 and older for arrivals.

Passport control automation is also progressing at other airports across the region. In November, a similar system was launched at the capital airport of Uzbekistan, Tashkent (TAS). Since early October, an electronic border control system has also been operational at Georgia’s second-largest airport, Kutaisi (KUT).