Airport security in a blink

LONDON, England -- The world's busiest international airport has begun a trial of eye-scanning technology to tighten security.

London's Heathrow airport launched the five-month scheme on Friday at terminals from where British Airways and Virgin Atlantic operate transatlantic routes.

The automated iris recognition stations have been placed in the immigration halls of Terminals Three and Four at Heathrow.

There are also plans for them to be installed at New York's JFK airport and Washington's Dulles Airport.

Although primarily aimed at getting passengers through passport control more quickly, airports operator British Airport Authority said in the longer term it could provide wider security benefits.

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BAA Heathrow's Managing Director Mick Temple said: "With this trial we hope to establish that iris recognition technology can prove to be a safe, effective and highly accurate means of ensuring passengers on arrival are legitimate entrants to the UK."

The iris recognition trial, which uses Eyeticket's Jetstream TM product, is the first of its kind to be run at a UK airport.

Passengers undergo an initial enrolment process, including identity checks by an immigration officer before being able to use the equipment.

Each person looks into a special video camera which takes a close-up image of the iris which is stored in an Immigration Service database.

This is later compared with the person's iris upon arrival in the UK. If it matches, a barrier will open to allow entry.

Passengers will still be required to carry their passports.

The EyeTicket JetStream procedure was developed in the United States and is considered the highest accuracy single factor identification method in the world.

Home Office Minister Lord Rooker said: "These are unprecedented steps. Biometric technology offers many new possibilities.

"This is an excellent example of the Home Office working in partnership with other stakeholders to make the most of science and explore secure and improved passenger clearance at Immigration control."

Sir Richard Branson, chairman of Virgin Atlantic, said: "We are delighted to be involved with this project.

"Virgin Atlantic is renowned for taking the lead in technological advances and we are always looking at ways of improving the passenger experience, so we will await the results of the trial with interest."