BRISTOL AIRPORT NEWS - 10/09/2009

Passengers at Bristol Airport urged to use facial recognition gate

Passengers flying into Bristol International Airport have been encouraged to use the travel hub's new facial recognition gates.

The device allows legitimate UK or European citizens quick passage over the border by scanning their facial features and comparing the results to a passport database.

Travellers hoping to use the technology, which was successfully rolled out at Manchester and Stansted airports earlier this year, must hold a valid e-passport with a built-in electronic chip.

UK Border Agency chief executive Lin Homer said: "Britain's border security is among the toughest in the world and by using new technology we are making the border even more secure.

"The facial recognition gates at Bristol Airport will improve our service to the public and help to make the UK safer."

A spokesperson for the airport noted that passengers using the facial recognition gate will still be subject to random searches.

The UK Border Agency recently invested £1.2 billion in a new e-borders system aimed at pinpointing terrorists, criminals and potential illegal immigrants.

According to its website, the agency employs some 25,000 staff across 135 countries.

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