News
Technology speeds up travelling
10 March 2006
A third terminal at London's Heathrow International Airport has launched new biometric technology that will ease the workload of immigration officials - and reduce airport queues for travellers.
All businessmen and frequent travellers at Terminal 1 need to do to gain entry into the UK is look into a camera at an automated barrier and let the Iris Recognition Immigration System (IRIS) do the rest.
After each individual's details have been verified by an immigration officer they are added to the system's database, which automatically allows them through the barrier on further trips.
"For the first time frequent travellers and non-EU citizens will be able to enter the country via Terminal 1 quickly and securely by using IRIS technology," said immigration minister Tony McNulty at the launch.
"With over 97 million people entering the UK in 2005, it is important that the UK remains at the forefront of the latest technology in immigration controls."
The IRIS system, which was first introduced to Heathrow's Terminals 2 and 4 in June last year, is the latest in a series of technological innovations - including online check-ins and printing boarding cards at home - which have minimised the time travellers need to spend at airports.
The IRIS technology will be introduced to Gatwick, Stansted, Birmingham and Manchester Airports during 2006.
© Adfero Ltd
All businessmen and frequent travellers at Terminal 1 need to do to gain entry into the UK is look into a camera at an automated barrier and let the Iris Recognition Immigration System (IRIS) do the rest.
After each individual's details have been verified by an immigration officer they are added to the system's database, which automatically allows them through the barrier on further trips.
"For the first time frequent travellers and non-EU citizens will be able to enter the country via Terminal 1 quickly and securely by using IRIS technology," said immigration minister Tony McNulty at the launch.
"With over 97 million people entering the UK in 2005, it is important that the UK remains at the forefront of the latest technology in immigration controls."
The IRIS system, which was first introduced to Heathrow's Terminals 2 and 4 in June last year, is the latest in a series of technological innovations - including online check-ins and printing boarding cards at home - which have minimised the time travellers need to spend at airports.
The IRIS technology will be introduced to Gatwick, Stansted, Birmingham and Manchester Airports during 2006.
© Adfero Ltd
