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Iris-scanning system lands at Manchester Airport
Speeding up immigration controls

By Steve Ranger

Published: Thursday 13 April 2006

Iris recognition-based biometric technology has now been rolled out at Manchester Airport.

The Iris Recognition Immigration System (Iris) will allow registered passengers to enter the UK without queuing to see an immigration officer at passport control.

Individuals who sign up to the scheme will be able to walk up to an automated barrier, simply look into a camera and, if the system recognises them, enter the UK.

A one-off enrolment for the Iris system takes about five minutes and is free. Registration is conducted by immigration staff in the departures area of the airport.

This biometric technology works by photographing a passenger's iris patterns and storing the data in a database, together with their passport details. Click here for photos of the system in action.

The technology became operational at Heathrow's Terminal 1 last month, following its introduction at Terminals 2 and 4 during June 2005.

Home Office Minister Andy Burnham said in a statement: "For the first time frequent travellers and non-EU citizens will be able to enter the country via Manchester Airport quickly and securely by using Iris technology.

Iris is now in operation at Heathrow Terminals 1, 2 and 4 and Manchester Airport Terminal 1. It will be installed at Manchester Terminal 2, Gatwick North and South, Heathrow Terminal 3, Stansted and Birmingham during 2006.