CARDIFF AIRPORT NEWS - 19/11/2009

Cardiff Airport introduces facial recognition security gates

By Jeremy Price.

Cardiff Airport has become the latest to install new facial recognition security gates for arriving travellers.

Passengers with biometric chip passports issued since 2006 will be able to use the technology to quickly pass through security checks.

The device captures a photo of a traveller and compares it to a digitally stored image to verify their identity.

It is hoped the new gates will make passing through security quicker and easier for many people.

Bob Lyne, UK Border Force assistant director for Wales, commented that the move could make Britain's border security even stronger.

"Britain's border security is among the toughest in the world and by using new technology we are making the border even more secure," he said.

Similar technology has recently been rolled out at nine UK airports, including Bristol International, Manchester and London Stansted.

It is thought around 860,000 passengers have so far used the new security features.

The news comes after Manchester Airport bosses revealed a new X-ray scanner is to be trialled at Manchester Airport.

Using X-ray technology, the devices create a full-body scan that shows up concealed weapons and explosives easily.

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