NEW IMMIGRATION TECHNOLOGY AT MANCHESTER AIRPORT
(13 April 2006)

A new Iris Recognition Immigration System (IRIS) has been employed at Terminal 1, Manchester Airport from today. It will now enable registered passengers to enter the UK without queuing to see an immigration officer at passport control. Instead individuals signed up to the scheme will be able to walk up to an automated barrier, simply look into a camera and if the system recognises them enter the UK, leaving immigration officers to concentrate on other priorities.

IRIS is currently in operation at Heathrow Terminals 1, 2 and 4 and will be installed at Manchester Terminal 2, Gatwick North and South, Heathrow Terminal 3, Stansted and Birmingham during 2006. A one-off enrolment for IRIS takes about 5 minutes and is free. Registration is conducted by immigration staff in the departures area of the airport.

This biometric technology works by photographing a passenger's iris patterns and storing the data in a database, together with their passport details. Only those individuals who have had their details authenticated by an immigration officer are able to use the technology. As no two iris patterns are alike, the system will quickly and securely recognise each registered individual when they look into the camera.

Manchester Airport is one of the first airports in the UK to benefit from Project IRIS. The technology became operational at Heathrow's Terminal 1 last month, following a successful introduction in Terminals 2 and 4 during June 2005.

Speaking at today's launch, Home Office Minister Andy Burnham said: "For the first time frequent travellers and non-EU citizens will be able to enter the country via Manchester Airport quickly and securely by using IRIS technology.

"With over 97 million people entering the UK in 2005, it is important that the UK remains at the forefront of the latest technology in immigration controls and the Government's commitment to project IRIS demonstrates that.

"Secure and effective border controls are vital to safeguard our citizens against terrorism, serious and organised crime and illegal immigration, while at the same time facilitating entry for legitimate travellers."

More information is available at the IRIS website www.iris.gov.uk

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