FAMILIES heading abroad this summer have been given a welcome boost with new rules to make airport travel much easier.
Currently, only kids aged 12 and over can use the eGates at UK airports, which are much faster.
However, there are new plans to extend this to kids between the ages of 10 and 11 as well.
Border force chief executive Phil Doulas confirmed during an industry conference that trials have been launched at London Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick airports.
He said it was his "aspiration" that it would be fully rolled out in time for the summer holidays, giving a boost to families heading overseas.
If the trials are successful, the new rules will then be rolled out across all airports.
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This will speed up Brits who return to the UK who currently have to queue to see a Border Force agent if travelling with their young kids.
The use of eGates was initially only for anyone aged 18 or over – this was reduced to 12 and over back in 2017.
It's not just the UK that uses the system, with Brits able to use the eGates in Spain and Portugal as well.
Travellers are also being urged to use the eGates where they can this week ahead of another Border Force strike,
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The union has said it will be the "largest civil service strike for years," leading to a number of airlines warning Brits to allow extra time at the airport this week about long queues.
EasyJet has warned: "If you’re usually able to travel with either an ID or a passport, we’d recommend that you bring your passport as these can be used at any airport with eGates in place and will help to speed up your journey."
Brits returning to the UK could soon skip the long passport queues altogether thanks to new technology.
The Home Office announced last summer that Brits will instead be able to travel via 'contactless smart corridors' at airports, using facial recognition, with trials starting next year.
The scheme – already in place at Eurostar terminals – means holidaymakers would be able to speed through the airport without having their passports checked at the border.
Mr Douglas added: "The technology exists now. But I think the public and ministers will be quite attached to having passports checked for some time."
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