The UK Home Office and Border Force have begun introducing a new contactless system that allows passengers arriving at UK airports to pass through automated gates (eGates) without placing their passports on a reader.
When users approach a gate, their photo is taken, and the system matches the image against immigration, travel and passport information. Once verification is complete, the gate opens automatically. Immigration checks are carried out after identity verification using facial-matching technology. If additional checks are required, passengers will need to place their passports on a reader as before, or be assisted by a border officer. Officers will continue to monitor all gates, and passengers must carry their passports at all times.
The rollout began at East Midlands Airport on October 6 for British nationals. Over the coming months, it will be expanded to other airports and to other nationalities already eligible to use automated gates. All gates will be upgraded by early 2027.
Trials showed that processing capacity was up to 25% faster than when passports were used. This summer, eligibility for automated gates was expanded to passengers aged 8 and over.
The system adopted is Amadeus Seamless Gate, provided by Amadeus IT Group. A long-term contract had been concluded between the UK Home Office and Border Force.
Automated gates are installed at Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow, Heathrow, London City, Luton, Manchester, Newcastle and Stansted airports.
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