Pulkovo Airport Launches Biometric Check-In and Boarding: Travelers Can Now Fly Using Facial Recognition
Passengers traveling through Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg can now experience a faster and more convenient airport journey thanks to the launch of a new biometric check-in and boarding system. The airport has partnered with VTB Bank and the Biometric Technology Center to introduce the innovative Migom service, allowing eligible travelers to move through key airport procedures using facial recognition technology.
The new service officially began operating on June 1, 2026, initially covering Aeroflot flights between St. Petersburg and Moscow. Travelers can now check in, enter domestic departure areas, and board their flights without repeatedly presenting traditional travel documents.
How the New Biometric Boarding System Works?
To use the Migom biometric service, passengers must first register their verified biometric data. Dedicated VTB representatives are available in Pulkovo’s check-in halls to assist travelers with enrollment, a process that takes approximately 10 minutes. Once registered, passengers can authorize biometric identification through their Aeroflot account and connect it to their flight booking.
After activation, facial recognition can be used throughout several stages of the airport journey, creating a more streamlined and contactless travel experience.
š Airport: Pulkovo Airport, St. Petersburg, Russia
š Launch Date: June 1, 2026
āļø Initial Route: Aeroflot flights between St. Petersburg and Moscow
š¤ Technology: Facial Recognition Biometric Verification
š¦ Partners: VTB Bank and Biometric Technology Center
š Projected Users by 2028: Approximately 4 million passengers
š Participation: Optional, with passport verification remaining available
Benefits for Travelers
The biometric system is designed to:
- Reduce waiting times at airport checkpoints
- Simplify identity verification processes
- Minimize document handling
- Improve passenger flow during peak travel periods
- Deliver a more seamless airport experience
Passengers still retain the option of using traditional passport-based verification if they prefer, making biometric travel completely voluntary.
Part of Russia‘s Growing Biometric Aviation Network
The launch at Pulkovo represents another step in Russia’s broader adoption of biometric technologies across transportation services. Industry officials expect biometric passenger processing to expand significantly over the coming years, with forecasts suggesting that around four million travelers could use biometric airport services at Pulkovo by 2028.
Aeroflot has also been expanding biometric-enabled travel options, allowing passengers to complete multiple airport procedures through facial recognition while maintaining secure data protection standards.
The Future of Contactless Air Travel
As airports worldwide continue investing in digital identity technologies, Pulkovo Airport’s biometric check-in and boarding initiative highlights the growing shift toward faster, smarter, and more efficient passenger processing. With facial recognition now replacing several traditional airport touchpoints, travelers can expect a smoother journey from check-in to boarding in the years ahead.