UK's East Midlands Airport Deploys First Contactless Face-Recognition eGates

East Midlands Airport became the first UK site to launch contactless facial-recognition eGates on 6 October 2026, letting travelers pass without presenting a passport. The Home Office says the system is up to 25% faster than passport scanning, but facial images are stored up to six years for non-British nationals and up to 30 days for Britons. All 13 UK eGate airports are set to get the upgrade by early 2027.

• East Midlands Airport launched the UK's first contactless face-recognition eGates on 6 October 2026
• The system is up to 25% faster than passport scanning, per the Home Office
• Facial images are kept up to 30 days for Britons and up to six years for foreign nationals
• All 13 UK eGate airports will be upgraded by early 2027