IRIS Is Scrapped From Manchester.

21/02/2012

IRIS (Iris Recognition Immigration System) is to be scrapped at both Manchester and Birmingham Airports. It will still be available to registered participants at London Heathrow and Gatwick until after the Olympic Games this Summer.

The system was designed to expedite the customs procedure at the UK border, instead it has been riddled with flaws, and can often take longer than the ‘old fashioned’ system. Even when the system, which uses technology designed to recognise the unique pattern in peoples irises, was being tested there were concerns and criticisms about it’s cost effectiveness and functionality.

A statement on the UK Border Agency’s (UKBA) website simply says: “With electronic passport gates now operating at 15 of the country's busiest airport terminals and available to millions of biometric passport holders, Iris is just one of the options for travellers
to securely enter the UK. Iris is no longer available at Birmingham and Manchester airports.”

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