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.
