UK: Airport iris-scanning system is scaled back

Britain’s groundbreaking iris-scanning system is being quietly scaled back (Financial Times)

The scanning system, known as Iris, was first introduced in 2005 and aimed at low-risk, frequent travellers. The scheme, which identified passengers through the unique pattern of their iris, is free to use but relies on a 15-minute registration which must be renewed every two years at an airport enrolment office.

The retreat from iris-scanning will make it harder for business travellers to avoid queues and raises fresh questions over whether government budget cuts have contributed to the bottlenecks.

The Financial Times has learnt that the Home Office has closed enrolment facilities at all Heathrow terminals except 1 and 5 and also at Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham.

The reader comments run fairly supportive of the IRIS system and skeptical of the stated reasons for scaling back.