Facial recognition replaces passport scanning at UK eGates
The UK has begun rolling out contactless eGates that allow arriving passengers to clear border controls using facial recognition without presenting their passport.
The system captures a live image of a passenger approaching the eGate and checks it against verified immigration, travel and passport information. If the checks are completed successfully, the gate opens without the passenger placing their passport on a reader.
“By using state-of-the-art technology, we are making journeys smoother and faster, all while fully maintaining the UK’s robust border security,” said Phil Douglas, Director General of Border Force.
Testing by Border Force found the contactless process can be up to 25 percent faster than using a passport at an eGate. Every UK airport eGate is expected to be upgraded by early 2027.
The phased deployment has started at East Midlands Airport, initially for British citizens, and will expand to other airports and nationalities already eligible to use eGates over the coming months.
Mike Grimes, Customer Services and Planning Director at East Midlands Airport, told the Airports AI Alliance that the introduction had required no changes to the airport’s existing eGate hardware or layout.
Mike Grimes, Customer Services and Planning Director at East Midlands Airport (c) EMA
“The new e-gates remain in the same location as before in the immigration hall, as this was a software upgrade rather than new hardware,” he said. “We have however made changes to our wayfinding and to the look and feel of the hall with new panelling and local tourist hotspot pictures, which along with the new e-gates creates an overall improvement for passengers arriving at East Midlands Airport.”
Grimes said collaboration with Border Force, alongside staff training and support, had been important in ensuring a smooth transition.
The airport is also using automation in other parts of the passenger journey, including parking, security and passenger information services.
“While contactless is one way of improving the experience, we find that automation in many forms helps us,” Grimes said. “We have introduced self-serve kiosks in our Meet & Greet operations, new automated boarding pass scanners at security and a virtual assistant at touch-screen information kiosks in the departure lounge to answer our customer questions–all of which make things quicker and easier for our customers.”
The phased rollout will extend to 12 other airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh, with all UK airport eGates expected to be upgraded by early 2027.
Passengers will still need to carry their passports. If additional checks are required, they may be asked to place their passport on the reader or be directed to a Border Force officer, while officers will continue to monitor the eGates and provide assistance.
The deployment follows the extension of eGate eligibility to children aged eight and above and forms part of the government’s wider programme to digitise the UK border, which also includes the Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme.
Main image: Border Force