Passengers to be fingerprinted at British airports

UK travellers who use shared international and domestic departure lounges could soon be fingerprinted.

The UK Border Agency, which is run by the Home Office, said it will consider making fingerprinting mandatory from next summer, as an “additional security” measure.

Although all passengers are currently photographed as they pass through security, those using a Common Departure Lounge (CDL) would have four fingerprints and a photograph taken. These will then be checked at their flight departure gate.

The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) had some concerns when it investigated a similar plan presented earlier this year.

The Home Office said it was “unlikely to consult on the current plan”. It said that it would not be responsible in “satisfying the Information Commissioner that the right data protection is in place".

It will use its powers under Paragraph 26(3) of Schedule 2 of the Immigration Act 1971 to push the proposals through. This allows the Secretary of State to require port operators to view conditions or put in restrictions in a control zone if he feels there is a threat.

However, despite this the ICO said it will look into the current plan. A representative for the organisation said: “We have raised the data protection implications of the proposals with BAA and UK Borders Agency.

“We have requested more information about the requirements the Agency may have for fingerprint checks on passengers where CDLs are in operation.”

CDL’s are found in Heathrow terminals one and five, and Gatwick and Manchester airports.

Visitors to America have been fingerprint-scanned and photographed on arrival since 2004.