A CHANGE in travel rules is about to make going abroad much simpler for families.
From tomorrow up to 1.5million more children will be able to use eGates at
A change in rules means that more children can use eGates at UK airports Credit: Alamy
Currently, children need to be 10-years-old or over to use .
But a change means that kids who are aged eight and nine will be able to use them too.
These children must also be accompanied by an adult and be at least 120cm tall (3ft11).
The height restriction is in place as children need to be captured by the at the gates.
As a result of the change, 1.5million more children can use the gates meaning more families won’t have to queue up to see a border force officer.
The rule change will impact 13 airports across the UK that currently use eGates, including:
- London Heathrow
- London Gatwick
- London City
- London Luton
- London Stansted
- Manchester
- Birmingham
- Bristol
- East Midlands
- Newcastle
- Cardiff
- Edinburgh
- Glasgow
It’s not just airports that will enforce the new rules – this also counts for those travelling from the UK to Europe on the and Eurotunnel.
Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Mike Tapp said: “Travel with young children can be stressful for parents.
“By expanding eGate access, more families can experience a swifter and smoother journey home – freeing up precious time thisseason.”
Karen Dee, Chief Executive of AirportsUK, the trade body for UK airports, added: “This is a welcome development as it will give more families the ability to take advantage of this , speeding up the border process and reducing waiting times for many.”
The new rules will also affect a number of non-British residents including those from the US, Australia and Japan, along with non-Schengen countries in .
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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