Morpho delivers next-generation border control automated
gates to Marseille Provence airport
Paris Air Show, June 15, 2015
Morpho (Safran) announced today that it has signed an agreement with Marseille Provence
airport (AMP) to provide a new-generation of PARAFE 2 automated passenger control gates.
This will be Morpho's first delivery of its latest model to a French airport. The system, which
currently uses fingerprint recognition technology, will further be able to include facial
recognition capability, once authorized by French legislation.
Since 2009, Morpho has already delivered 41 first-generation automated gates to French
airports, including four in Marseille. PARAFE systems are also deployed at the two Parisbased airports, Charles De Gaulle and Orly. This innovative system uses biometric
technology to check travelers' passports when entering or leaving the country.
The PARAFE 2 system has been approved by the French Ministry of the Interior. Building on
6 years of expertise in operational service, the new model is more compact and open, thus
improving user comfort.
“As a partner of Morpho since 2012, Marseille Provence airport is extremely pleased to once
again pioneer new services offered to passengers,” stated Pierre Regis, President of the
Marseille Provence airport directorate. “PARAFE 2 is a solution which meets our needs to
facilitate passage at border controls, offering a high level of security which can evolve over
time. This modular approach enables us to meet immediate and future needs.”
Samuel Fringant EVP of Morpho’s Security division added, “Morpho is very proud to deploy
its latest generation of automated border control gates at Marseille Provence airport. These
modular systems feature improved ergonomics, a new design and will also be able to
accommodate multi-biometric technologies (fingerprint and face recognition). These gates
combine superior security with greater comfort of utilization for passengers. We would like to
thank Marseille Provence airport and the French Ministry of Interior for their confidence and
support of innovation. This has helped us design a solution which is perfectly adapted to the
needs of the French authorities.
The system can be used by all persons over the age of 18 travelling with an EU or Swiss
passport, after registration with the French border police. Registration, which is free and
takes only a few minutes, is valid in any airport equipped with PARAFE automated gates.
Since May 2012, holders of new biometric French passports (issued after July 2009) have
been able to use PARAFE gates without prior registration, as they can be identified based on
the fingerprints already stored in the chip of their passports.
More than 200,000 passengers are registered for the program, which enables a passenger
to complete border check in 20 seconds. The program has administered more than 5 million
checks thus far, meaning on average 35,000 controls per week.
*****
About Morpho
Morpho (Safran) is a global leader in identity and security solutions for an increasingly digital and
connected world. We employ more than 8,600 people in 55 countries and generated revenues of more
than €1.5 billion in 2014. Backed by more than 40 years of experience in biometrics, our unique
expertise lies in developing innovative technologies for a wide range of markets and applications for
people, governments and business. Morpho contributes to managing identities, protecting borders,
detecting threats, supporting law enforcement and providing trusted on-line transactions and services.
Our solutions protect identities, ensure safety and safeguard privacy, for easier, everyday lives.
For more information: www.morpho.com
Follow @Safran_Morpho on Twitter
About Marseille Provence Airport
In 2014, Marseille Provence Airport (AMP) handled 8.2 million passengers and 53,345 tonnes of cargo.
It now, therefore, ranks 4th among France's airports in terms of passenger traffic and is France's
Number 1 regional airport for express cargo. Thanks to its favourable geographical location and to the
investments that have been made, 35 scheduled airlines have chosen to fly into AMP, operating direct
flights to over 100 destinations. In 2014, AMP's turnover amounted to 128.9 million euros.
For more information: : www.mp.aeroport.fr / www.mp2.aeroport.fr
Morpho (Safran)
Communications Department
11 boulevard Gallieni
92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux
France
Press contact:
Pierre-Yves Roger
+33 (0)1.58.11.89.58
pierre-yves.roger@morpho.com
Marseille Provence Airport
BP 7,
13727 Marignane Cedex
France
Press contact :
Audrey Le Blanc
+33 (0)4.42.14.26.09
audrey.leblanc@mrs.aero