East Midlands Airport on Tuesday (6 October) became the first UK airport to deploy contactless eGate technology, marking the start of a nationwide rollout that will see all UK airport eGates upgraded by “early 2027”.
The new system uses “state-of-the-art” facial recognition technology to verify a passenger’s identity, allowing travellers “to simply walk through” the eGate without scanning their passport, according to the UK Home Office.
As travellers approach an eGate, a photograph is taken and checked against immigration, travel and passport records. If their identity is verified, the barrier opens automatically. Travellers requiring further checks will need to scan their passport using the eGate reader or may be directed to a Border Force officer.
The Home Office said the contactless system is up to 25 per cent faster than using a passport at an eGate.
Phil Douglas, director general of Border Force, said: “This is a win for travellers coming to our brilliant country.
“By using state-of-the-art technology, we are making journeys smoother and faster, all while fully maintaining the UK’s robust border security.”
Karen Dee, chief executive of trade body AirportsUK, added: “This will be excellent news for the passenger and demonstrates how UK airports continue to be at the forefront of new technologies to keep our borders safe, while improving the travelling experience.
“It is vital that we have the fast, efficient borders that arrivals into the UK now expect, and we will work closely with our members and government officials to ensure a smooth rollout,” she said in a statement.
The rollout follows the recent introduction of the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme and the EU’s Entry-Exit System (EES), which collects biometric data including facial images and fingerprints. The EES rollout, however, has faced “operational challenges” and was partially suspended during the summer travel peak.
The development also comes a week after ACI Europe, Amadeus, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), IDEMIA Public Security and SITA formed a travel industry coalition focused on the responsible use of biometrics. The group is calling on policymakers to ensure the EU’s Digital Omnibus legislative proposal “actively supports the voluntary and secure use of biometrics in travel while protecting passenger choice and privacy”.
The UK’s contactless eGates will initially be available to British citizens at East Midlands Airport before being extended “over the coming months” to other airports and nationalities already eligible to use eGates.
Standard eGates are already in operation at airports in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow, Heathrow, London City, Luton, Manchester, Newcastle and Stansted.