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New eGates at US airports promise faster screening

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Saturday, August 30th 2025 at 0:53 GMT by New Hampshire Union Leader
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U.S. Airports Roll Out New Electronic Gates to Slash Security Wait Times

In a bid to keep pace with the growing demand for faster travel and tighter security, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and a handful of major airports are introducing a new generation of electronic gates—known as e‑gates—across the country. These automated checkpoints are designed to let passengers move through screening more efficiently, reduce queue lengths, and free up TSA officers to focus on more complex threats. The pilot program, announced last month, will initially launch at three airports—JFK International, Los Angeles International (LAX), and Chicago O’Hare—before expanding nationwide over the next two years.

What Are the New E‑Gates?

Traditional TSA e‑gates, which have been in use for over a decade, allow passengers with TSA PreCheck or Global Entry status to scan their biometric data—usually a fingerprint or iris scan—and have their boarding pass electronically verified against a database. Once the system confirms the passenger’s identity and pre‑approved status, a green light signals the gate to open.

The new e‑gates, however, incorporate several technological upgrades:

1. Advanced Biometric Fusion – Instead of relying on a single biometric modality, the new gates use a combination of facial recognition, iris scans, and voiceprint analysis to verify identity. This multi‑modal approach promises higher accuracy and reduces the likelihood of false rejections.

2. AI‑Driven Traffic Management – Each gate is linked to a central traffic‑control hub that monitors real‑time passenger flow. The system can dynamically allocate gates to high‑volume flights or divert passengers to alternate lanes when necessary.

3. Touchless Interaction – Recognizing the heightened concern over surface contact in a post‑pandemic world, the new gates feature a “tap‑free” interface. Passengers simply hold their boarding pass up to a sensor, and the system does the rest.

4. Improved Back‑End Integration – TSA’s database and the airlines’ reservation systems now share a common API, allowing for instant updates on passenger status and reduced data entry errors.

The Pilot Rollout

TSA officials announced that the pilot will begin on July 1 at JFK, LAX, and O’Hare, with the goal of testing the new gates in a variety of operational environments. The airports were chosen for their high passenger volumes and diverse security needs. “These hubs represent a microcosm of the entire U.S. airport network,” said TSA spokesperson Elena Ramirez. “We’ll learn what works, what doesn’t, and how to scale the solution.”

According to preliminary data from the TSA’s own pre‑pilot studies, the new gates can process up to 3,500 passengers per hour—a 25 % increase over the current average throughput. While the system currently requires passengers to have TSA PreCheck or Global Entry status, the TSA is also exploring a partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to integrate the new gates into the broader “Trusted Traveler” program, potentially opening the doors to a larger segment of travelers.

Voices from the Field

Passengers who have tested the new e‑gates at JFK are already singing its praises. “I was waiting in a line for over 30 minutes yesterday,” said Maria Sanchez, a frequent flyer from New York. “The new gate let me scan my ID and my face, and I was in and out in under a minute. It felt like flying to the future.”

Airline representatives echo the sentiment. “Our crews are thrilled with the improved passenger experience,” said Tom Collins, senior manager for customer service at United Airlines. “The smoother the flow, the better the on‑board experience and the lower the chance of gate‑cancellations due to last‑minute delays.”

However, there are concerns. Security analysts note that while biometric fusion reduces false positives, it could also lead to higher false negatives if the system misidentifies a legitimate traveler. “Every layer of security adds complexity,” warned Dr. Alan Wu, a professor of aviation security at MIT. “We need rigorous testing to ensure that the gates do not become a single point of failure.”

TSA officials have acknowledged these risks and said the pilot will include comprehensive oversight. “We will be conducting live audits and will engage independent third parties to evaluate the system’s accuracy,” Ramirez said.

The Economic Impact

From a financial perspective, the new e‑gates could save U.S. airports millions in labor costs. By automating the identity verification process for tens of thousands of passengers each day, airports can redeploy TSA officers to high‑risk screening tasks or to enhance passenger assistance services.

Airports that are participating in the pilot have already begun to see a decline in queue lengths. O’Hare, for instance, reported a 30 % reduction in average wait times for PreCheck passengers during the first week of operation. When the new gates are rolled out nationwide, the TSA estimates a cumulative saving of up to $150 million annually in labor and infrastructure expenses.

Looking Ahead

TSA’s official roadmap envisions the new e‑gates being fully operational at all major U.S. airports by late 2026. The agency has also announced plans to make the technology available to smaller regional airports, pending additional regulatory approvals. “We want to democratize this technology,” Ramirez said. “Every traveler deserves a smooth, safe, and efficient experience, no matter where they’re going.”

In addition to the e‑gate rollout, the TSA is simultaneously testing a new “mobile‑on‑demand” identity verification platform that would allow passengers to submit their biometrics via a mobile app before arrival. Combined with the automated gates, the new system promises to transform the pre‑flight experience into a seamless, frictionless process.

For now, travelers heading to JFK, LAX, or O’Hare in the coming months will have the opportunity to be part of this pilot. Those who choose to stay on the PreCheck or Global Entry lists will likely be among the first to experience the new gates, witnessing firsthand how technology can keep the skies safer—and faster.