Border Force director general Phil Douglas told the Airport Operators Association conference on Tuesday (31 January) the trial would initially take place at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, with a view – he said – to extending the measures to all airports over the coming months.

Douglas told delegates it was his hope the age barrier could be lowered by the summer getaway, but said it would ultimately be a decision for ministers.

Children under the age of 12 are currently barred from using eGates, meaning families are required to queue to be processed manually at the border.

The trial comes off the back of severe disruption at UK ports last summer following the post-pandemic restart, whereby staffing levels at major airports proved insufficient to handle demand.

Douglas, the Press Association reports, told AOA delegates the trial would assess whether lowering the age requirement for eGates would increase the risk of child smuggling.

He said there was a balance to be struck between ensuring families aren’t forced to queue for too long, and ensuring safeguarding processes work.