UK News

London's Heathrow airport starts trial of biometric scanning

Dec 6, 2006, 12:34 GMT

London - Passengers at London's Heathrow airport were Wednesday invited to participate in a trial of the most advanced passenger screening equipment, involving the taking of fingerprints and biometric scanning of the face and eyes. Airport authorities said travellers volunteering for the trial would have the advantage of bypassing long queues in departure halls. Those trying the miSense system have the scans at the same time as their passport is scanned at check-in. Some Cathay Pacific and Emirates flights will invite passengers to join the trial, airport authorities said. Passenger details are linked to their passport, so they can be fast-tracked through security and boarding controls. 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. Britain's Immigration Minister Liam Byrne, launching the measures at Heathrow's Terminal 3 Wednesday, said the new system was crucial for security. 'Biometric ID systems are fundamental to securing our borders in a more mobile age,' 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. © 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur

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London's Heathrow airport starts trial of biometric scanning

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