Tests include newly-issued documents from New Zealand and Australia

By Andy Williams, Contributing Editor, AVISIAN Publications

Global electronic passport usage moved ahead as trials got underway in San Francisco in January, following similar tests at Los Angeles International Airport last year. This latest multi-country test -- involving New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and the U.S. --revolves around a contactless chip-enabled passport that is expected to increase security for those entering the U.S. while speeding up entry procedures. Participants include citizens of Australia and New Zealand who have already been issued the new e-Passports, as well as Singapore Airlines crewmembers and U.S. diplomatic e-Passport holders.