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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Heathrow begins biometric trials | Heathrow begins biometric trials |
| (about 3 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 be able to bypass long queues if they have their fingerprints biometrically scanned, while face and eye scans will be introduced soon. | |
| 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. | 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." |
| Guide to biometric technology | Guide to biometric technology |
| Immigration Minister Liam Byrne, launching the measures at Heathrow's Terminal 3, said the new system was crucial for security. | 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. | "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." | "They are crucial to our plans for counting everyone in and out of the country." |
| Mr Byrne went on to argue that the system is "a good example of how ID cards will be useful when helping people move through security". | |
| All European nationals flying out of Heathrow's Terminal 3 will also be able to join the programme in its second phase. | All European nationals flying out of Heathrow's Terminal 3 will also be able to join the programme in its second phase. |
| Similar technology | |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | BBC transport correspondent Tom Symonds says similar biometric technology has already been installed in Dubai and Hong Kong. |
| It is hoped that, if successful, the system will be adopted at airports around the world. | |
| It would enable passengers to pass through immigration controls by simply swiping their fingertips. |