HI-TECH scanners capable of identifying travellers from their eyes have been installed at Manchester Airport.
The new technology was launched at the Terminal One building as part of a government scheme to use physical characteristics such as fingerprints to cut illegal immigration and fight terrorism.
The Iris Recognition Immigration System uses cutting-edge technology to photograph a traveller's iris, comparing it with a scan taken of the same person on their return to Britain.
A high-definition camera is used to take a digital image of the iris, which is then permanently stored on a national data base. Travellers will be able to sign up to the scheme at an enrolment office in the Terminal One departure lounge.
Whenever the passenger flies into Britain from an airport with the technology, they can fast-track through customs by using the scanner to confirm their identity. An electronic barrier with its own separate queue has been set up at the Manchester terminal's immigration desk for this purpose. Though anyone can sign up to the scheme, one of several on trial as part of the government's "e-Borders" programme, it will mainly benefit foreign nationals living in Britain on work or student visas who would otherwise face long customs checks.
Home Office experts say the new scanners are virtually foolproof, as identical twins have exactly the same characteristics and the scanner could identify individual irises even through glasses or contact lenses.
Home Office Minister Andy Burnham, MP for Leigh, was at the airport to launch the scheme. He said the technology would eventually be used by all British air travellers, but acknowledged some had misgivings on personal information being stored.
"Though it is of more direct benefit to frequent fliers and those having to wait longer at immigration, it doesn't stop anyone coming to this airport and registering," he said.
"I know there are concerns and I don't dismiss them, but the majority view in Greater Manchester is that, if this technology can make us more secure and improve the airport experience, then why aren't we using it?" The government is planning to make increased use of biometric information on all British passports.
Earlier this year, the first passports containing microchips with a biometric image of the holder's face were issued.
