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Heathrow begins biometric trials | Heathrow begins biometric trials |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Passengers at Heathrow airport are being invited to sign up for a trial of the most advanced passenger screening equipment in the world. | Passengers at Heathrow airport are being invited to sign up for a trial of the most advanced passenger screening equipment in the world. |
Travellers will have the option of bypassing long queues if they have their fingerprints, face and eyes biometrically scanned. | Travellers will have the option of bypassing long queues if they have their fingerprints, face and eyes biometrically scanned. |
Those trying the miSense system have the scans at the same time as their passport is scanned at check-in. | Those trying the miSense system have the scans at the same time as their passport is scanned at check-in. |
It is designed to make travelling easier, while maintaining security. | It is designed to make travelling easier, while maintaining security. |
Some Cathay Pacific and Emirates flights will invite passengers to join the trial when they check in. | |
Passengers' details are linked to their passport, so they can be fast-tracked past queues through security and boarding controls. | Passengers' details are linked to their passport, so they can be fast-tracked past queues through security and boarding controls. |
'More secure' | 'More secure' |
The British Airports Authority (BAA) said the system provided passengers with a type of "electronic key" which would allow them to pass easily through each stage of the airport's processes. | The British Airports Authority (BAA) said the system provided passengers with a type of "electronic key" which would allow them to pass easily through each stage of the airport's processes. |
Steve Challis, head of product development for BAA, said: "Rather than having to continually show pieces of paper to prove who you are, or to prove entry to the next stage of a journey, then your electronic key should make things much faster and much more secure at the same time." | Steve Challis, head of product development for BAA, said: "Rather than having to continually show pieces of paper to prove who you are, or to prove entry to the next stage of a journey, then your electronic key should make things much faster and much more secure at the same time." |
href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/guides/456900/456993/html/default.stm" class="">Guide to biometric technology | |
Immigration Minister Liam Byrne, launching the measures at Heathrow's Terminal 3, said the new system was crucial for security. | |
"Biometric ID systems are fundamental to securing our borders in a more mobile age," Mr Byrne said. | |
"They are crucial to our plans for counting everyone in and out of the country." | |
All European nationals flying out of Heathrow's Terminal 3 will also be able to join the programme in its second phase. | |
In order to take part, they must hold a passport valid for at least six months, be over the age of 18 and fulfil UK government background checks. | |
A total of 13 different identifying scans of their fingerprints, irises and face will permit them to carry a membership card and allow them to use the system whenever they fly. | |
BBC transport correspondent Tom Symonds says similar biometric technology has already been installed in Dubai and Hong Kong. |