The UK has begun the phased rollout of a contactless border at the country’s 13 international airports as part of a pioneering project that removes the need for UK citizens and eligible third country nationals to scan their passport when entering the country.
The UK relies on Amadeus’ Seamless Gates at its international airports to securely and conveniently verify each traveller’s identity at the border, under a long-term contract with the Home Office and UK Border Force.
The new contactless system works by taking a photo of the passenger as they approach the eGate. The image is checked against verified immigration, travel and passport information and the eGate opens when the checks are successfully complete.
Only if further checks are required will the passenger need to place their passport on the reader or be directed to a UK Border Force officer.
As a result of today’s news, eGates at UK airports will gradually switch to the new contactless technology, with every eGate set to be upgraded by early 2027.
Phil Douglas, director general of UK 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.”
While Georges Fenergi, senior vice president for airports and border authorities, EMEA, at Amadeus, noted: “The UK government should be applauded for this pioneering approach that demonstrates a secure, interoperable, digital identity ecosystem can increase throughput, boost capacity and improve the passenger experience – all while maintaining a secure, sovereign, immigration process.”
Amadeus Seamless Gates are available at Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow, Heathrow, London City, Luton, Manchester, Newcastle and Stansted airports.
Initially available to UK citizens, contactless border crossing will be expanded to cover eligible foreign nationals as part of the phased rollout.
