Manchester Airport to trial contactless eGates next year
Manchester Airport plans to introduce contactless eGates that scan passengers’ faces to speed border checks. The trial is already underway at East Midlands Airport and the rollout aims to reach all UK airports by early 2027, with British citizens currently the first eligible users. Passengers may still need to carry their passports in some situations.
What is happening
Manchester Airport will start using a new contactless eGate system early next year. The gates allow travellers to walk up, have their face scanned, and proceed without inserting a passport for the gate check. The system is designed to be faster than the traditional passport-on-gate method, with trials suggesting up to a 25% time saving.
Who is affected
British citizens are the initial users of the contactless gates. Other nationalities will be added as the nationwide rollout progresses. Existing rules about eligibility for eGates—such as age limits and passport validity—remain unchanged. Passengers may still be asked to present their passport for further checks by Border Force officers.
Practical next steps
If you plan to travel through Manchester Airport next year, expect to encounter the new gates somewhere in the border area. Have your passport ready; while the gates scan faces, staff can request the passport for additional verification. If you frequently travel from multiple UK airports, the same technology is planned to roll out nationwide by early 2027. Monitor airport notices for specific gate locations and eligibility updates as the rollout progresses.
Limits and questions
The system is described as faster at the gate, but it may not replace all passport checks entirely. Passengers may still need to carry a passport for other verification steps or if a Border Force officer requests it. Details about data use, privacy safeguards. How face data is stored have not been specified in the provided material; travelers are advised to look for official guidance from Border Force and the airport as rollout progresses.
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