To increase safety and optimize the boarding process, SWISS uses a new AI-supported counting technology. It helps ensure that the number of passengers boarding the aircraft matches the number of checked-in passengers.
SWISS is required to ensure that the baggage of passengers who do not board or who leave the aircraft again before departure can be identified (National Civil Aviation Security Programme of Switzerland, EU Regulation 2015/1998 laying down detailed measures for the implementation of the common basic standards on aviation security). SWISS fulfils this requirement in particular through passenger counting.
How does the system work?
A camera is temporarily installed in the area of the aircraft door during boarding. Based on the video recordings, the AI analyzes anonymized movement data to determine the number of boarding passengers and the number of hand baggage items.
The system distinguishes between passengers, crew members, and ground staff without identifying individuals or using biometric data (such as facial recognition).
The data collected supports the cabin crew in counting passengers. The boarding process remains fully under the control of the crew; the system does not make any automated decisions.
What are the benefits?
- Higher counting accuracy through automated support
- Early detection of potential discrepancies
- Determination of hand baggage volume to resolve storage space conflicts at an early stage
- No evaluation on an individual basis to protect your privacy
Information on data protection
Controller: Swiss International Air Lines AG
Purpose of passenger and baggage counting: Compliance with the legal requirements regarding baggage reconciliation and aviation safety
Purpose of automating the counting process: Greater counting accuracy, early detection of potential discrepancies, and optimization of the boarding process, including hand baggage management.
Legal basis:
- Legal obligation regarding baggage reconciliation and aviation safety (see above)
- Legitimate interests in increased aviation safety and an optimized boarding process
Processor: VION AI GmbH (Germany)
Duration of the processing of personal data: The video recordings of boarding passengers are anonymized immediately after successful counting. The AI model is trained exclusively on anonymized data. During the current test phase until August 2026, we additionally store the non-anonymized video recordings for a short period in order to verify the results of the AI model. These recordings are deleted at the latest once the respective verification has been completed within the test phase.
Data subject rights: If a passenger does not wish to be part of the automated counting process, they may inform the staff at the boarding gate before boarding (right to object). The gate staff will then coordinate the boarding time with the cabin crew so that the passenger is counted manually.