New technology will see UK passengers able to pass through airport gates without showing passports

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Passengers arriving in the UK will soon be able to pass through airport eGates without showing their physical passport under a new contactless system, the government announced.

East Midlands Airport in Leicestershire became the first location to introduce the technology on Tuesday, prior to a nationwide rollout across all UK airport eGates by early 2027, the Home Office said.

The contactless setup uses facial technology to take a passenger’s image upon approach, verifying it against official travel, passport, and immigration records.

Once cleared, the gate opens automatically, eliminating the need to place passports on the reader.

Should extra checks be necessary, travellers must scan their document or see a Border Force officer.

Border staff will continue monitoring eGates to assist, while the Home Office reminded passengers to keep their passports with them at all times.

Testing showed the new contactless system is up to 25% faster than using a passport on an eGate, according to the government.

Phil Douglas, director general of 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.”

Karen Dee, chief executive of Airports UK, the trade body for the country’s airports, said the move was “excellent news for the passenger”.

She added: “It is vital that we have the fast, efficient borders that arrivals into the UK now expect, and we will work closely with our members and Government officials to ensure a smooth rollout.”

Steve Griffiths, East Midlands Airport’s managing director, said: “We’re delighted to be the first UK airport to have contactless eGates introduced by Border Force.

“As an airport committed to providing an effortless travel experience, we welcome any technological innovation that can help to safely make our customers’ journeys smoother, swifter and simpler.

“This complements changes that we carried out to our immigration hall recently to help improve the flow of arriving passengers through the area.”

EGates are currently available at Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow, Heathrow, London City, Luton, Manchester, Newcastle and Stansted.

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