Virgin To Bring Registered Traveler Program To Newark

Virgin Atlantic Airways and Verified Identity Pass today said they are partnering to launch the Clear Registered Traveler Program at Newark International Airport's Terminal B, which serves Virgin and other international carriers. The companies expect to begin enrollment in February with plans to launch in March.

Virgin's partnerships mimics programs sponsored by British Airways and Air France, both of which this month launched Registered Traveler checkpoints at separate terminals at New York's JFK airport.

To join the program, travelers must submit to a background check, providing biographic and biometric information. If checks are satisfied, users pay an annual fee of $99.95 to use a biometric card that will give them access to the lanes.

Airports in Cincinnati, Indianapolis and San Jose this month also rolled out Clear Registered Traveler programs, modeled after the initial pilot at Orlando airport, which has been operational since July 2005.