Astana Airport Launches Biometric Gates to Slash Passenger Wait Times
Astana Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport has introduced a new Automated Border Control System (ABCS) to speed up passenger processing. The technology, launched in collaboration with biometric specialists, aims to cut waiting times and improve efficiency as traveller numbers rise.
The system features eight automated gates—three in departures and five in arrivals. Each gate scans passports and matches facial images against data in Kazakhstan’s Berkut Unified Information System. The entire process takes just 15 to 20 seconds per passenger, far quicker than traditional checks.
The new system replaces manual checks with automated verification, cutting processing times significantly. It marks a step toward modernising border controls at one of Kazakhstan’s busiest airports. Further expansions or eligibility changes may follow as demand grows.
