Unisys Corp. today launched Registered Traveler lanes at Reno-Tahoe International Airport, representing the company's first airport to go live with its offering and the first competitor to Verified Identity Pass to launch lanes.
Unisys had been working with the airport since February, with the initial goal to launch the program at its two security screening checkpoints in late February or early March. The company last month began registering and issuing cards to members.
Although Unisys has only one airport in its roster, the Registered Traveler program calls for interoperability among vendors. Clear last week said it successfully accepted its first Unisys cardholder through one of its own lanes. Conversely, Clear cardholders now have access to Unisys lanes at Reno-Tahoe International.
Verified Identity Pass now has five airports participating in its Clear Registered Traveler program, including San Jose, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Orlando, San Jose and at New York-JFK with various airline partners. Clear said it would open lanes at Newark's Terminal B this month, and also has agreements with Little Rock and Albany for the program. Meanwhile, competitor FLO Alliance has an agreement to launch lanes at Huntsville, Ala., International Airport
(BTN, April 2).
Although Registered Traveler providers consider the launch of another vendor and the demonstration of interoperability a success, some said airports should pick up the pace in opening lanes.
NBTA executive director and COO Bill Connors last week at the American Association of Airport Executives conference urged airports to expand the program. "There is a huge market for the Registered Traveler concept in the business travel world. Time is money for corporate travelers, and the RT program offers one of the few opportunities to take some of the hassle out of the airport experience," Connors said.
However, according to Clear, a few key airports are coming on board. "Washington, D.C., (Reagan and Dulles) Airports, San Francisco and Denver International Airports have issued announcements to launch programs this fall," Clear said in a statement.