Dublin Airport is introducing automated border control eGates later in 2017.
The ABC eGates will use facial recognition, meaning that a picture of the passenger is taken by the eGate and compared with the one in their ePassport.
Twenty eGates are being installed to start with, ten in each of Dublin’s two terminals.
EU passengers over 18 with e-Passports and holders of the Irish Passport Card will be able to use them. One immigration officer will be able to monitor multiple gates.
The ABC eGates will be the first ones used in Ireland and are being introduced to speed immigration queues. In 2016, immigration services at the Airport processed a record 13.8 million arriving passengers and it is hoped the gates will dramatically cut waiting times.
Passenger numbers at Dublin airport have grown by 46% over the last 5 years.
The supplier is Portuguese company Vision-Box in partnership with Accenture and ESP Global Systems and they are expected to be in use by the end of 2017.
Charlie Flanagan, Minister for Justice:
“The introduction of e-Gates will greatly enhance our immigration controls, including our border security, while at the same time providing an improved passenger experience through self-service and speedier passage through the immigration process.”
Four ABC eGates were installed in Terminal 1 in 2013 on a pilot basis but were suddenly removed earlier this year. If successful, the new gates will be rolled out to other ports of entry.
N.B. Image credit: dublinairport.com