In an important milestone at enhancing the security process and reducing the passenger congestion at the Manchester Airport, the airport is trialling facial recognition scanners. This move also comes as part of the initiatives taken by the government in this regard. Most notably, adult biometric passport holders from the UK and the Europe can effectively use this system. The system works by scanning the faces of passengers and comparing them to the photographs digitally stored on their passports. On the other hand, the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) have raised a concern that the technology is untested and untried.

It is important to note that the facial recognition technology is part of the e-Borders programme of the Home Office, which aims at significantly enhancing the border control at UK besides ensuring greater efficiency and security. According to the ministers, the facial recognition technology will help in identifying criminals and terrorists attempting to enter the UK illegally.

Analysing the efficiency of the process, the machines require only 13-15 seconds per passenger, while a human takes about 20 seconds for the same process. Provided the trail run comes our successfully, the ministers would like to see that the machines replace the majority of front line airport immigration officers over the next five years.

Jacqui Smith, Home Secretary noted, "The UK has one of the toughest borders in the world and we are determined to ensure it stays that way. Our hi-tech electronic borders system will allow us to count all foreign nationals in and out of the UK, while checking them against watch-lists.”