Biometric passports to cut gate time

News at Heathrow 06/10/2009

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Heathrow could see new system by next year

BAA and the UK border agency are currently in talks that would see the wider implementation of an “automated clearance system plus” programme that would cost participating airport passenger £50. The idea is that the passport holder would have a bio metric passport, available since 2006 and this would allow quicker customs clearance. The chip in the passport would hold information about the holder including the measurements of their face which would mean there would be little doubt of the authenticity of the traveller’s documents.

The fast track system would reduce the time spent at customs and could mean that there would be less employees manually checking each passenger cutting the current £7 million cost of manning the gates. The scheme could be introduced into Heathrow Airport as early as next year and could also be made available to trustworthy travellers such as business executives, from outside the European Union. If a passengers biometric information was the same as the old style passport they would be able to go through the gates without further checks. The current IRIS scheme used by around 90,000 passengers annually would then be phased out.

Heathrow to get new budget hotels : 2009 : BA staff could strike if latest measures go ahead

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