CLEAR Launches New Lanes at Portland International Airport

Rhea-AI Summary

CLEAR (NYSE: YOU) has launched its identity verification technology at Portland International Airport (PDX), marking its 59th airport location nationwide. The expansion is expected to create 53 jobs and generate over $3 million annually in local economic impact.

The service allows members to use dedicated lanes for identity verification using biometric data (eyes or fingerprints), streamlining the security checkpoint process. CLEAR Plus membership costs approximately $16 monthly (billed annually), with special pricing available for airline partners' members and government personnel. Additional family members can join for $119 per adult annually.

The company currently serves over 27 million Members across its network, offering expedited identity verification through dedicated lanes that bypass traditional ID check queues.

Positive

• Expected to generate $3 million annual local economic impact
• Creating 53 new jobs in Portland
• Expansion to 59th airport location shows continued growth
• Partnership with major airport enhances market presence

Negative

• None.

Insights

Market Research Analyst

This expansion represents a calculated move in CLEAR's growth strategy, marking their entry into a significant West Coast travel hub. PDX serves over 15 million passengers annually, offering substantial potential for membership growth. The projected $3 million annual economic impact, while modest relative to CLEAR's overall revenue, signals healthy unit economics for new location launches.

The timing of this expansion is particularly strategic, coinciding with PDX's recent terminal renovation and increased post-pandemic travel demand. CLEAR's current network of 59 airports and 27 million members demonstrates strong market penetration, with each new airport location creating network effects that enhance the value proposition for existing and potential members.

The business model shows resilience through:

• Recurring revenue from CLEAR Plus memberships at $16 monthly
• Strategic partnerships with major airlines and American Express, creating multiple customer acquisition channels
• Operational efficiency through biometric technology, requiring minimal staffing per location

For investors, this expansion reflects CLEAR's execution of its growth strategy, particularly noteworthy given Portland's typically stringent approach to privacy technology. The successful navigation of local policies while maintaining their core value proposition demonstrates adaptability and operational sophistication, important factors for sustained growth in the identity verification market.

PORTLAND, ORE. and NEW YORK, Feb. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, CLEAR (NYSE: YOU), the secure identity company, is launching its identity verification technology at Portland International Airport (PDX), bringing frictionless and predictable travel experiences to Oregon. CLEAR’s launch at PDX is expected to create 53 jobs and generate over $3 million annually in local economic impact.

“We are thrilled to welcome CLEAR, a world class service, to a world class airport! This valuable addition is now available to travelers at PDX, meeting the growing demand for convenience while upholding the city’s commitment to consumer rights and responsible technology use,” said Portland Metro Chamber President and CEO Andrew Hoan. “Technology should make life easier for all, and CLEAR’s approach at PDX reflects that balance—enhancing the traveler experience while respecting local policies and the rights of the public. Welcome CLEAR to Portland, and we look forward to seeing it benefit our community.”

“When we opened our new main terminal last summer, we often got asked: Will CLEAR be coming to PDX? Today, we’re excited to deliver that option for our travelers,” said Dan Pippenger, Chief Aviation Officer at Port of Portland. “With the addition of CLEAR, we’re continuing to improve and streamline the travel experience while maintaining the highest standards of safety and security.”

“We're thrilled to bring CLEAR to Portland and help PDX travelers experience a smoother, more predictable journey,” said CLEAR CEO Caryn Seidman-Becker. “We share PDX's dedication to enhancing the customer experience and are excited to be part of making travel to and from Oregon faster and easier.”

Today’s launch represents continued growth in CLEAR's national footprint, where it serves a total of 59 airports with its opt-in CLEAR Plus membership and over 27 million Members. Members use CLEAR's network of dedicated lanes to seamlessly and securely verify their identity with their eyes or fingerprints, replacing the need to take out their wallet and driver's license. After verification, a CLEAR Ambassador escorts Members through the dedicated lane and directly to TSA physical security, with the goal of saving them time waiting in line at the security checkpoint.

CLEAR Plus – an opt-in membership that provides access to CLEAR's expedited identity verification lanes – costs a little more than $16 a month billed annually, with preferred pricing available for Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines and American Express Members. Newly enrolling active military, veterans, and government officials are also eligible for discounted memberships, and additional family Members can be added to an existing CLEAR Plus account for $119 per adult per year.

About Port of Portland
With three airports, four marine terminals, and five business parks, the Port of Portland is an economic engine for transforming the region into a place where everyone is welcome, empowered, and connected to the opportunity to find a good job or grow their business. The Port works to pull down barriers and provide access to people and local businesses who have been left out of the region’s economic growth—including people of color, low-income workers, and people with disabilities. Collectively, the Port leads big projects in the region, including expanding PDX airport and making it more accessible and efficient; transforming a former marine terminal into a site for innovation in the housing construction and mass timber industries; and providing more options for Pacific Northwest businesses to send their products around the world. For more information, visit www.PortofPortland.com.

About CLEAR (NYSE: YOU)
CLEAR's mission is to create frictionless experiences. With over 27 million Members and a growing network of partners across the world, CLEAR's identity platform is transforming the way people live, work, and travel. Whether you are traveling, at the stadium, or on your phone, CLEAR connects you to the things that make you, you – making everyday experiences easier, more secure, and friction-free. CLEAR is committed to privacy done right. Members are always in control of their own information, and we never sell Member data. For more information, visit clearme.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that any and such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results, developments and events may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those described in the Company's filings within the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the sections titled "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10- K. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein.

Contact
CLEAR
media@clearme.com

This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.

FAQ

How much does CLEAR (YOU) membership cost at Portland International Airport?

CLEAR Plus membership at PDX costs approximately $16 per month billed annually, with discounted rates for airline partners and government personnel. Additional family members can be added for $119 per adult annually.

What economic impact will CLEAR's (YOU) PDX expansion have?

CLEAR's launch at Portland International Airport is expected to generate over $3 million annually in local economic impact and create 53 new jobs.

How many airports does CLEAR (YOU) now operate in after PDX launch?

With the addition of Portland International Airport, CLEAR now operates in 59 airports across its network.

How many members does CLEAR (YOU) currently serve?

CLEAR currently serves over 27 million Members across its network of airports and venues.

What biometric verification methods does CLEAR (YOU) use at PDX?

CLEAR uses eye and fingerprint biometric verification at PDX to confirm members' identities.