Eye scans to speed Heathrow check-ins

Long-haul passengers at Heathrow may soon be able to walk through checks at the immigration desk in the blink of an eye.

Iris recognition technology, being introduced at Heathrow for the first time anywhere in the world, aims to end queues of up to an hour at the world's busiest international airport by scanning passengers's eyes in a few seconds.

The US-manufactured EyeTicket JetStream system will initially be aimed at speeding up the arrivals procedure for frequent fliers, as only those who have enrolled in the scheme will be able to use it.

But ultimately, it could also be used to improve security procedures at airports, by identifying in an instant whether a passenger has a criminal record or is deemed a threat by police.

Instead of queueing with their passports, passengers in the immigration hall step up to a cabinet resembling a passport photo booth to have their eye photographed by a special video camera. Within two seconds the image of each passenger's unique iris pattern is recorded and transferred to a computer database where it is compared with the digital code stored there.

Several seconds later, if the details match, a ticket is printed out of the machine. It automatically opens the barrier on a Tube- style gate positioned behind the machine and allows the traveller to enter the country.

Some 2,000 regular transatlantic commuters with Virgin Atlantic and BA are taking part in a fivemonth trial at Terminals Three and Four, backed by the immigration services. If it proves to be efficient and wins backing at governmental level, it could be extended to the 90,000 people who arrive at Heathrow each day. Passengers must still carry passports as a back-up.

Heathrow's managing director Mick Temple said: "Although this particular trial is about simplifying a passenger's progress through the airport, we will also consider whether in the longer term this sort of technology could have wider security benefits." Home Office minister Lord Rooker welcomed the "unprecedented steps" being introduced at Heathrow. Other trials are being planned in New York's JFK and Washington's Dulles airports.

The technology involved is regarded as the most accurate single-factor identification method in the world. EyeTicket says there is no risk of harm as the process involves no contact with the body, and no laser or other potentially harmful light source. The company said the data is separated from all other passenger information held by immigration or airlines and is maintained in a secure database.