Phil Douglas, Border Force director general, told The Times trials of the technology, which will mean travellers will no longer need to present passports on arrival in the UK, would begin this year at unspecified airports.
In November, Douglas signalled the end of traditional border controls at airports, saying he was “looking to procure” new generation e-gates. These, coupled with the forthcoming UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (Eta) would speed up the immigration process, he said.
