Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg has initiated testing of a new biometric boarding service for domestic flights, making it the first airport in Russia to implement such technology. Passengers registered in the Unified Biometric System (UBS) can now board flights without presenting their passports.

Instead of showing a passport, registered passengers can simply scan the QR code on their boarding pass and look into a designated terminal. This biometric verification covers all stages of pre-flight procedures, including flight check-in, document verification, boarding, and access to business lounges.

The new system aims to expedite passenger flow and enhance the quality of service. According to Valentin Enokaev, Chairman of the Transport Committee, this advancement elevates the overall passenger experience.

Technical testing of the system is scheduled to continue through 2025, with plans to make the service available to all passengers starting in 2026. The airport had previously introduced a video analytics system using machine vision to predict queues at passenger check-in counters.