Airport operator
BAA is rolling out electronic border gates at Heathrow Airport
from January.
The Automated Clearance System will soon be opened for non-EU
passengers and those without biometric passports. EU travellers
with biometric passports can already use the system.
Access to the fast-track system will cost travellers $80 a year,
but BAA says it will make the airport process quicker.
International travellers can register their interest in the
scheme, after which they will be required to provide biometric
information such as fingerprints or iris scans.
The system was developed with the UK Borders Agency, which will
also store passengers' data.
Colin Matthews, chief executive of Heathrow, said, "We are
continually looking at innovative ways to improve the passenger
journey at Heathrow, and reducing waiting times at security points
and at government immigration is a key priority, which helps
Heathrow's international standing with passengers of all
nationalities and strengthens its position as one of Europe's most
important hub airports."
