Travelers arriving in the UK will soon be able to pass through airport border checks faster without taking out their passports. A new contactless border system has started being tested at East Midlands Airport in England. The system uses facial recognition technology to check passengers as they arrive, allowing them to enter the country more quickly.
When passengers walk up to the new e-gate, a camera takes their photo. The computer system compares this image with official travel, passport, and immigration records. If everything matches, the gate opens automatically. If the system needs more information, passengers must scan their physical passport or speak with a Border Force officer. Tests show that this new contactless process is up to 25 percent faster than scanning a paper passport.
The system is currently open to British citizens at East Midlands Airport. The UK government plans to update all airport e-gates by early 2027 and allow other eligible nationalities to use them. Officials plan to expand the technology to major airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester. However, officials advise all travelers to carry their passports with them at all times in case extra checks are required.