The first phase of biometric immigration eGates at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will go live in December, introducing a faster and more automated border-control experience for travelers. The initiative is led by the New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) in coordination with the Bureau of Immigration, with two terminals scheduled to receive the system ahead of a wider rollout.
The launch marks the airport’s entry into a new generation of passenger processing, as the eGates rely on passport data and facial-matching technology to verify a traveler’s identity. By shifting part of the clearance procedure to automated equipment, airport officials expect significant improvements in both speed and crowd management. The technology is supplied by Amadeus, whose systems are already used in major hubs in Asia and other regions.
Passengers will first encounter the eGates in Terminals 1 and 3, where the equipment has been installed in preparation for activation. NNIC has set a broader deployment timeline for early next year, when the remaining terminals are expected to adopt the system.
Alongside the new gates, Amadeus has been expanding its biometric offerings across the region through products such as the Seamless Gate® and its “on-the-move” corridor, which captures facial biometrics while travelers walk through a controlled pathway. In Indonesia, similar Amadeus technology has been used by immigration authorities to boost throughput and reduce queues in high-traffic airports.
