Roll-out begins for passport-free airport e-gates

Passengers arriving into the UK will be able to pass through airport e-gates without showing their passport under a new contactless system, the government has announced.

On Tuesday, East Midlands Airport became the first airport to offer the new technology before it is rolled out to all UK airports by early 2027, the Home Office said.

The system uses facial technology so as passengers approach the e-gate, their photo is taken and then checked against immigration, travel and passport information and, if verfied, the barrier opens automatically.

Testing showed the new contactless system was up to 25% faster than using a passport, according to officials.

If further checks are needed, travellers will need to put their passport on the reader or may be directed to a Border Force officer.

Officers will continue to monitor all e-gates and offer assistance, while passengers should keep their passport with them at all times, the Home Office said.

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.

"Our digital transformation also builds on our work this summer to extend eGates to children aged eight and above, making life a little easier for families."

Karen Dee, chief executive of Airports UK, the trade body for the country's airports, said the move was "excellent news for the passenger".

She added: "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."

Steve Griffiths, managing director of East Midlands Airport, in Castle Donington, Leicestershire, said: "We're delighted to be the first UK airport to have contactless e-gates introduced by Border Force.

"As an airport committed to providing an effortless travel experience, we welcome any technological innovation that can help to safely make our customers' journeys smoother, swifter and simpler.

"This complements changes that we carried out to our immigration hall recently to help improve the flow of arriving passengers through the area."

Standard e-gates are currently available at Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow, Heathrow, London City, Luton, Manchester, Newcastle and Stansted.