Just in Time for the Holidays, PBI Introduces Tech To Get Passengers Through Security Faster

Ahead of what's expected to be a "strong" week for holiday travel, Palm Beach International Airport is introducing a quicker way for travelers to get through one part of the security process.

Starting Thursday, travelers will have the option to use Clear, a technology that scans a person's biometrics — namely, their eyes and face — to identify them without having to show their photo ID or passport.

Passengers will still have to go through the Transportation Security Administration's physical security screening process, but the service aims to get them there in a more timely fashion.

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"PBI is known for an easy, convenient traveling experience and bringing Clear lanes with touchless technology provides our travelers additional peace of mind as they depart the Palm Beaches," Palm Beach County Department of Airports Director Laura Beebe said in a news release. "We are confident our passengers will appreciate Clear lanes and are looking forward to a great partnership ahead."

Users can sign up for the optional service online or in person.

CLEAR lanes speed you through airport security — for a price

The service costs $179 a year, or $15 a month. Members can add three adult family members to their account for $60 a year each, and children traveling with a member can use the service for free.

There will be one Clear lane at the Concourse A/B security checkpoint and two lanes at the Concourse C security checkpoint.

Clear is certified by the Department of Homeland Security and can be used in conjunction with TSA PreCheck, a separate service provided by the department to hasten the physical security screening process, which costs $85 covering a five-year period.

One of the Clear lanes at Concourse C will be dedicated to travelers who are enrolled in TSA PreCheck.

Clear is available at 39 airports across the country, including eight of the top PBI destinations, and is already used at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International, Miami International and Orlando International.

Airport expects a busy Thanksgiving for travel

Palm Beach International is on the mend from the tourism hit it took due to the coronavirus pandemic. The airport saw nearly 352,000 travelers in September, the latest available figures, inching ever closer to the 369,000 passengers from that same month in 2019.

"We expect a strong Thanksgiving holiday travel week," said airport spokeswoman Lacy Larson. "Our passenger traffic is trending very closely to 2019, which were record numbers for PBI."

More than 582,000 passengers traveled through Palm Beach International in November 2019, while the next month saw over 730,000 travelers.

Masks remain a requirement at Palm Beach International and on all planes.

Hannah Morse is a reporter covering Palm Beach County. She can be reached at [email protected] or 561-820-4833. Follow her on Twitter at @mannahhorse.

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