IRIS eye-scanning technology has been switched off at Manchester and Birmingham airports, but will continue to be available at Gatwick and Heathrow at least until after the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Launched in 2005, the Iris Recognition Immigration System (IRIS) has been popular among business travellers looking to save time at UK immigration, allowing passengers to bypass normal immigration queues in favour of the automated system.
But there has been speculation for some time that IRIS might be dropped in favour of new technology, with the debate continuing on the Business Traveller forum here.
A poster has alerted us to news that IRIS lanes have now been closed at Manchester and Birmingham, and new registrations to the programme have also been closed at Heathrow and Gatwick.
Existing customers will continue to be able to use IRIS at Heathrow and Gatwick "until after the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games", but after this the future of the technology is uncertain.
The UK Border Agency website states that it "remains committed to the use of technology and automation at border control", adding that "We will provide details about the future of these services in due course".
For more information visit ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk.
Report by Mark Caswell
