Biometric Iris Scanners at Manchester Airport
Manchester Airport has introduced iris recognition scanning to check the identification of its employees.
Staff working at the airport, the UK's third-largest, now use a biometric access control system when they transit through security checkpoints from airside to landside.
The system works by combining iris recognition cameras with a single person access control portal. When staff approach a security checkpoint, the camera records an image of the eyes of the worker and compares this against their unique iris image held on the system's database.
All employees at Manchester Airport working in restricted zones are either registered on the system or about to be - which is over 25,000 people. The system is in use in the restricted areas of all three main passenger terminals, as well as security lanes in the terminal buildings.
The airport is the first in the UK to introduce iris scanners for its employees.
The system was developed by Human Recongition Systems (HRS), a biometric and identity management consultancy, with the UK Department for Transport (DfT) being closely involved with the development and implementation of the system.
Airport Says Iris Scanners Offer "Robust Security"
The airport said the iris scanners would help boost airside security at Manchester.
Asha Williams, the airport's security and training manager, commented that the system offers a "robust security screening process" which offers a further layer of security on top of staff using their personal access control cards and PIN numbers.
Staff will still continue to use their access control cards, despite the introduction of the biometric system.
Mike Fazackerley, Director of Security and Customer Service at Manchester Airport, added that iris recognition would help increase efficiency by removing the reliance on manual security checks.
Source - Airport International's Aviation Correspondent
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