Families are being informed about a significant adjustment to a key regulation at over a dozen UK airports starting this summer. Commencing on July 8, a security rule will be relaxed for specific primary school-aged children.
In May, the UK Government announced that approximately 1.5 million more children would soon be eligible to utilize UK eGates, facilitating a quicker process for them and their families during the upcoming summer vacations. Under the new guidelines effective from Wednesday, July 8, children aged eight and nine, standing at least 120cm (3ft 11in) tall and accompanied by an adult, will be included.
Authorities highlight that raising the age limit will be a relief for families returning from vacations with young kids. The government asserts that passing through an eGate typically takes only a few minutes.
With more passengers expected to use eGates, wait times at passport control are also projected to decrease. Before July 8, eGates were generally accessible to individuals aged 10 and above, although children under 17 still need to be accompanied by an adult.
Passengers qualify to use an eGate if their passport has a biometric symbol on the cover and they are either:
Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Mike Tapp, mentioned, “Traveling with young children can be stressful for parents. By expanding eGate access, more families can enjoy a faster and smoother journey home, saving valuable time this summer holiday season. We are continually enhancing the passenger experience while maintaining border security.”
Phil Douglas, Border Force Director General, stated, “eGates are crucial for ensuring border security. Extending access for families will provide safe, seamless journeys while allowing skilled officers to focus on intercepting potential threats to the UK.”
Karen Dee, Chief Executive of AirportsUK, the trade association for UK airports, expressed approval, saying, “This development is positive as it will enable more families to benefit from this technology, expediting border procedures and reducing wait times for many. Airports collaborate closely with border authorities to ensure the UK’s entry process is secure and welcoming, offering returning and visiting individuals a smooth experience.”
The UK initially introduced ePassport gates at airports in 2008, with the first gate going live at Manchester Airport. Initially, the automated gates were limited to UK, EU, and Swiss citizens, but they now include eligible travelers from various countries, such as the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
