'Clear' program gets new funding

Company pledges expansion to more airports

Verified Identity Pass’s Clear Registered Traveler program has received $44.4 million in new venture capital funding, the company said, and it promised to use that money to expand the availability of Clear express security clearance lanes to more airports. Clear currently operates at 18 U.S. airports. For an annual fee of $128, Clear members are guided through the security process by concierges. “The Clear concierge service alone has made Clear lines 30 percent faster than regular security lanes, and Clear plans to improve that even more through enhanced technology which, once approved by the U.S. Government, could allow cardholders not to have to remove shoes, outer garments or laptops as they pass through the security checkpoint,” the company said. Clear’s target market consists of persons who fly a minimum of twice a month. The company said it has signed up more than 200,000 members thus far.