Two UK Airports Axe Eye-Scanner Systems
High-tech eye scanners have been scrapped at two UK airports and closed to anyone who has not already registered, the Border Agency (UKBA) has revealed.
Designed to reduce the time taken for passengers to enter the country, the Iris Recognition Immigration System's (Iris) future is under review after being axed at both Manchester and Birmingham airports.
The system has been criticised for adding to delays rather than cutting queues and has been closed to all new applicants since last year.
It will remain open for registered passengers travelling through terminals, 1, 3, 4 and 5 at Heathrow Airport and Gatwick North until after the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer, the UKBA said.
A UKBA spokesman said: "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.
"We are currently reviewing the long-term future of Iris."
On its website, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) added: "Iris is no longer available at Birmingham and Manchester airports.
"Registration for Iris is no longer available. All of our enrolment rooms at Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester airports are closed until further notice."
The Iris scheme was criticised five years ago when an official report on trials of the technology showed it had failed half of its assessments.
The system has been criticised for adding to delays rather than cutting queues and has been closed to all new applicants since last year.
It will remain open for registered passengers travelling through terminals, 1, 3, 4 and 5 at Heathrow Airport and Gatwick North until after the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer, the UKBA said.
A UKBA spokesman said: "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.
"We are currently reviewing the long-term future of Iris."
On its website, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) added: "Iris is no longer available at Birmingham and Manchester airports.
"Registration for Iris is no longer available. All of our enrolment rooms at Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester airports are closed until further notice."
The Iris scheme was criticised five years ago when an official report on trials of the technology showed it had failed half of its assessments.
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Eye-Scanner Systems,
Birmingham airport,
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