Abstract: In the method for automated access control of air passengers in airports, the boarding pass carried by an air passenger is evaluated. The data recorded as a bar code on the boarding pass is read by means of a bar code reader at a pass-through. A central database is used to check whether a blocking note is stored for the respective boarding pass. If this is not the case, the locking device of the pass-through is opened. As soon as the air passenger has passed through the pass-through, a blocking note relating to the boarding pass is dispatched and stored in the database.