Fiumicino airport first in Italy to test biometric system.

The biometric system, which promises faster boarding, will only concern flights to Amsterdam, with passengers opting for facial recognition on a voluntary basis.

Fiumicino, also known as Leonardo da Vinci, is the first airport in Italy and one of the first in Europe to test the new technology.

Authorities at Fiumicino say the biometric recognition system will speed up departures at the airport without compromising safety standards.

After the experimental six-month test, the airport will evaluate the results of the system before extending it to other areas.

The technology works by recognising the biometric contours of the face and the information is deleted once the passenger has boarded.