Families flying home through Cardiff Airport this summer can skip the manned passport desks with their younger children from today, as eGate access opens to eight and nine-year-olds.
The airport confirmed the change was live at its gates this morning, saying it means more families can pass through border control together — “making the journey home that little bit smoother”.
Children aged eight and nine can use the gates as long as they are at least 120cm (3ft 11in) tall and accompanied by an adult.
Until now, the minimum age for the automated gates was 10.
Children using the gates will still need their own biometric passport — the technology reads the chip and matches it to a facial scan at the gate.
The change, announced by the Home Office in May, takes effect today across more than 290 eGates at UK ports and juxtaposed border posts in Europe.
The juxtaposed posts are where British passport checks happen before boarding — such as the Eurostar terminals in Paris and Brussels.
Based on last year’s arrival figures, the government estimates 1.5 million more children will be eligible to pass through eGates with their families over the next year.
Minister for Migration and Citizenship Mike Tapp said travelling with young children could be stressful for parents.
“By expanding eGate access, more families can experience a swifter and smoother journey home — freeing up precious time this summer holiday season,” he said.
Border Force Director General Phil Douglas said the gates were “an essential part of keeping our border secure”, adding that expanding family access would free up officers “to focus on intercepting those who pose a threat to the UK”.
Karen Dee, chief executive of airports trade body AirportsUK, said the change would speed up the border process and cut waiting times for many.
Patricia Yates, chief executive of VisitBritain, said expanding eGate access “boosts our competitive tourism offer”, encouraging more visitors and families to book trips to Britain this summer.
Using an eGate typically takes just minutes — and with more people using them, queues at the manned desks should shorten too.
The change is the latest step in the UK’s border overhaul: the Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme has been enforced since February, with almost 25 million ETAs issued since its introduction.
The next step is a planned “contactless border”, using facial comparison technology to verify identity without travellers needing to present a passport at all.
It comes as Cardiff Airport enjoys its strongest run in years, passing a million passengers in twelve months — with a direct Toronto route launched in May adding to the summer schedule.
Discover more from Swansea Bay News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
