News

Spring Statement: extending ePassport gates and abolition of landing cards

Commenting on the announcement that citizens from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore and South Korea will be able to use ePassport gates from June 2019, Chief Executive of the Airport Operators Association Karen Dee said:

“Extending the use of ePassport gates to citizens of trusted allies is great news for the customer experiences at our international gateways.

“We are pleased to see that Government has acted on the concerns of airlines and airports about the deteriorating border experience in recent years with this statement. It could be transformational for those airports with high numbers of arrivals from those seven countries.

“We continue to urge the Government to build on this excellent step forward by working with industry on a long-term plan how to improve the welcome the UK gives at the border and demonstrate that Global Britain is open for business”

Commenting on the abolition of landing cards from 2019, Karen Dee added:

“The abolition of the outdated landing cards used by non-EEA passengers when arriving in the UK is welcome news. This paves the way for further steps to reduce bureaucracy and make the UK border fit for the 21st century.”

ENDS