Signature Flight Support London Luton and UKBA to trial new immigration technology | Press Release

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Press Release

Issued by Signature Aviation.

January 22, 2010

Signature Flight Support London Luton and UKBA to trial new immigration technology

The United Kingdom Border Agency and Signature Flight Support Corporation today announced the trial of an innovative UK initiative at Signature's London Luton Airport facility to enhance the border service for private and business aviation travelers.

The UK Border Agency, Signature Flight Support Corporation and Technology Store are working together to develop VIP Cyber-Port, an IT solution that will enable the entry of international passengers into London Luton Airport to be processed 24 hours a day through Signature Flight Support's executive business aviation terminal at the airport.

This innovative service will be trialed for six months from January 2010 for customers at London Luton. This is the first installation of this new technology and could influence the way in which the UK Border Agency works with business and general aviation operators in the future. The trial will enable the UK Border Agency to identify improvements to customer service in support of business partners whilst ensuring the security of the border is not compromised.

In the initial trial of the service customers will present themselves to a remote UK Border Agency Officer, via a secure video link from Signature's executive terminal. The UK Border Agency Officer will be able to remotely process the passenger using the same facilities as at the main terminal building, including the scanning of passports, verifying identity and producing the relevant immigration approvals as necessary. Technology Store based in the U.K.'s Lake District provided Telly Talk, the critical software solution for the secure video link.

"The UK Border Agency has a clear remit both to maintain a strong border and facilitate travel and trade and this trial activity at Signature London Luton offers the chance to test an innovative new approach with commercial partners." stated Catherine Mealing-Jones, Director of the UKBA Border Transformation Group.

David Best, Chief Commercial Officer, Signature Flight Support Corporation commented: "Signature Flight Support, as a global leader in business aviation services, is delighted to have been chosen to partner with the UKBA and Technology Store on this project. The development and implementation of this cutting-edge technology demonstrates our commitment to delivering consistently exceptional services to our customers."