NEW YORK, Jan. 16, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Clear(r) Registered Traveler and British Airways announced today the opening of the Clear lane at British Airways' Terminal 7 at John F. Kennedy International Airport. The launch at JFK Terminal 7 signifies the beginning of the national rollout of the U.S. registered traveler program.
Clear, now with over 35,000 members, began the first privately-run registered traveler pilot program at Orlando International Airport in July 2005. The JFK program is fully interoperable with the Orlando program and with all other airports in the national program.
British Airways is the first airline to partner with Clear, and Terminal 7 -- which serves several other major airlines in addition to British Airways -- is the first facility in the New York area to have a registered traveler program. Clear allows business travelers and other frequent fliers to pay a fee ($99.95) to be pre-screened by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and receive a biometric identity card that provides them with expedited passage through airport security checkpoints.
Steve Clark, senior vice president Customer Service Americas for British Airways, said, "British Airways is delighted to be offering the Clear Registered Traveler lane at our JFK terminal. The lane will give our customers a quicker and more convenient experience when going through the security process. Our terminal at JFK is already fast to move through and now it has become even faster."
Clear founder and CEO Steven Brill said, "We're thrilled to be launching the national registered traveler program, in partnership with British Airways. Thanks to the leadership of Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff and TSA Administrator Hawley, registered travelers will now enjoy the benefits of this visionary program no matter which airport they use, so long as it has chosen to participate in the program. We're also pleased that the program will make all travelers -- not just registered travelers -- experience a more convenient, but no less secure, process through airport security."
Brill added, "Agreements with several other airports and airlines are expected to be announced during the first quarter of 2007. Additional agreements and launches will be announced shortly and will accelerate through the year."
Clear's new verification kiosk, with state-of-the-art shoe scanner technology, has been installed at the Clear lane at JFK's Terminal 7. The TSA-approved kiosk is in use today at the Clear lane in Orlando -- where members can, in most instances, leave their shoes on as they pass through the security checkpoint. The shoe scanning technology will rollout at JFK Terminal 7 as soon as protocols are in place there. The Clear network, which will expand with launches later this week and next week at the Indianapolis, San Jose, and Cincinnati International Airports, is currently in the process of installing the kiosk with shoe scanning technology at those locations. The kiosk, developed with Clear's partner GE Security, detects the presence of explosives and metal in shoes. Those members whose shoes contain no explosives or metal are able to keep shoes on at the checkpoint. Another technology installed in the new kiosk is expected to exempt Clear members from removing their suit coats and other outer garments in the coming months.
About British Airways
British Airways is one of the world's largest international airlines carrying around 36 million passengers a year to some 140 destinations (including 23 in North America) in over 70 countries. Also one of the world's longest established airlines, it has always been regarded as an industry-leader with innovations in the air and on the ground. Renowned for its award-winning products and service initiatives, British Airways was the first airline to introduce flat bed seats and it is the only foreign carrier to solely own and operate its own terminal at JFK.
About Clear(r) Registered Traveler and Verified Identity Pass, Inc.
Verified Identity Pass's Clear Registered Traveler, with over 35,000 members, is the only privately-run registered traveler program operating at U.S. airports. Clear has been fully operational since July 19, 2005, at Orlando International Airport. The Clear network will expand this month to include Indianapolis, San Jose, and Cincinnati International Airports. Clear will also launch at JFK Terminal 1 in March. In addition, Clear has an agreement with Toronto Pearson International Airport to operate a Canadian program, working with Canadian authorities. Clear's verification kiosk with shoe scanning technology, co-developed with Verified Identity Pass's partner GE, could allow members in the Clear lanes to keep their shoes on as they pass through the security checkpoint. For more information: www.flyclear.com.
The British Airways logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1862