The Home Office has announced that from today, children aged eight and nine are now eligible to use e-gates at UK airports, a change that could affect up to 1.5 million additional passengers. The expansion, which takes effect as schools in Scotland and Northern Ireland break for summer holidays, aims to streamline border processing for families.
How the E-Gate Expansion Works
E-gates use facial recognition technology to match passengers' features to their passport photos, typically processing travelers faster than manual checks by border officials. Previously, only individuals aged 10 and over could use the automated gates, forcing families with younger children to queue for passport booths. Now, children aged eight and nine returning to the UK are also eligible.
The UK has nearly 300 e-gates across 15 airports, including major hubs like London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, and Birmingham. The change also applies to ports in Brussels and Paris, where UK e-gates are available.
Impact on Summer Travel
Border security minister Alex Norris said: “Today’s change will make journeys easier for families with small children and reduce the hassle of travelling home after a holiday. It will also free up more time for tourists to enjoy our fantastic country this summer and in the years ahead.”
Border Force director-general Phil Douglas previously noted that increasing e-gate access enables “highly skilled officers to focus on intercepting those who pose a threat to the UK.”
Full List of UK Airports with E-Gates
- London Heathrow
- London Gatwick
- London Stansted
- London Luton
- London City
- Manchester
- Birmingham
- Edinburgh
- Glasgow
- Bristol
- Newcastle
- Cardiff
- East Midlands
- Southampton
- Southend
Eligibility for E-Gates
UK e-gates are available to British citizens, nationals from the European Union, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, and the United States. Members of the registered traveller service can also use them.
