BiometricsBiometrics to be used in fast-tracking trusted travellers through airports

Biometrics to the rescue — to the rescue of speedy travel, at least. The technology is to be used to speed up travel between the United Kingdom and the United States. Fingerprint, iris, and facial recognition technology will be used to speed up frequent travellers’ journeys through immigration control, as part of a U.K.-U.S. agreement for a fast-travel option for trusted travellers going between the countries. The agreement is aimed at boosting business travel. Liam Byrne, U.K. border and immigration minister, revealed the agreement to city representatives on Wednesday.

The government said the deal will build on the success of the Iris scheme (Iris recognition immigration system) for trusted travellers, which enables registered passengers to enter the United Kingdom without queuing, following an eye scan. More than 200,000 people have already enrolled in the scheme and it has been used more than one million times since its launch in March 2006. Iris enrolment stations and gates are available at all five Heathrow terminals and at Birmingham, Gatwick, and Manchester airports. Byrne said in a statement: “Speedy travel between the U.K. and the U.S. is crucial to large financial organisations.”