Inside Look Brussels Airport’s Revamped Passport Control for Arriving UK Flights

Post originally Published May 27, 2024 || Last Updated May 28, 2024

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Inside Look Brussels Airport's Revamped Passport Control for Arriving UK Flights - Brussels Airport Unveils Automated eGates for Arrivals


Brussels Airport has unveiled automated eGates for arriving passengers, a move aimed at enhancing the travel experience and reducing queuing times.

The new system utilizes facial recognition technology to verify passenger identities, allowing them to self-check and proceed through passport control without manual intervention.

While the eGates are currently available only for EU citizens, the airport has revamped its passport control area to cater to the growing demand for UK-bound flights.

Initial technical issues have been resolved, and the automated system is now operating smoothly.

The automated eGates at Brussels Airport employ advanced facial recognition technology to verify the identity of arriving passengers, reducing the need for manual passport checks and streamlining the border control process.

The installation of these automated border control gates is a collaborative effort between the Federal Police and Brussels Airport, combining their expertise to enhance the travel experience for passengers.

While the eGates are currently only available to EU citizens, the airport is exploring the possibility of expanding the system to accommodate non-EU passengers as well, subject to regulatory approvals.

The strategic placement of the automated eGates in the passport control area is specifically designed to cater to the growing demand for UK-bound flights, ensuring a more efficient and seamless arrival experience for these travelers.

Initial reports suggest that the introduction of the eGates faced some technical challenges, leading to temporary congestion at the airport.

However, the system has since been optimized and is now operating at its intended capacity.

What else is in this post?

  1. Inside Look Brussels Airport's Revamped Passport Control for Arriving UK Flights - Brussels Airport Unveils Automated eGates for Arrivals
  2. Inside Look Brussels Airport's Revamped Passport Control for Arriving UK Flights - Streamlined Passport Control for Eligible Travelers
  3. Inside Look Brussels Airport's Revamped Passport Control for Arriving UK Flights - Enhanced Security Measures for Non-EU Citizens
  4. Inside Look Brussels Airport's Revamped Passport Control for Arriving UK Flights - Early Arrival Advisory for Smooth Travel Experience
  5. Inside Look Brussels Airport's Revamped Passport Control for Arriving UK Flights - Ongoing Improvements for Efficient Border Crossing

Inside Look Brussels Airport's Revamped Passport Control for Arriving UK Flights - Streamlined Passport Control for Eligible Travelers


Brussels Airport has implemented automated passport control gates to allow eligible travelers, including those with US, UK, and Canadian passports, to bypass traditional queues and expedite the border control process.

While these new systems aim to improve efficiency, reports indicate that long wait times and technical issues continue to plague the passport control area, leaving some passengers frustrated with the airport experience.

Despite the airport's efforts to streamline the process, the persistent congestion at passport control serves as a reminder that more work is needed to address the challenges faced by international travelers at Brussels Airport.

The automated Passport Control (APC) gates at Brussels Airport can process up to 30 passengers per minute, significantly faster than the traditional manual passport control.

Brussels Airport is the first major European airport to integrate iris scanning technology into its APC gates, providing an additional layer of biometric security for eligible travelers.

Data analysis shows that frequent business travelers who use the APC gates experience up to 50% reduction in their average passport control waiting time compared to using the traditional counters.

The implementation of the streamlined passport control system has enabled Brussels Airport to maintain an average passport control processing time of under 20 minutes, even during peak travel periods.

Interestingly, the APC gates are programmed to automatically adjust their processing speed based on the volume of arriving passengers, ensuring a consistently smooth experience for travelers.

Brussels Airport's passport control overhaul is part of a larger initiative to future-proof the airport's infrastructure, with plans to integrate more biometric technologies, such as facial recognition, across additional touchpoints in the coming years.

Inside Look Brussels Airport's Revamped Passport Control for Arriving UK Flights - Enhanced Security Measures for Non-EU Citizens


Inside Look Brussels Airport’s Revamped Passport Control for Arriving UK Flights

Brussels Airport has implemented new security procedures for non-EU citizens arriving on flights from the UK.

While EU citizens can utilize automated border control gates, non-EU travelers, including those from the US, Canada, and the UK, must undergo more thorough identity checks.

The new Entry/Exit System (EES) aims to improve the accuracy and efficiency of border control by tracking the travel history and biometric data of non-EU citizens.

This system will eventually be rolled out across the European Union, requiring non-EU citizens to use separate lanes and have their passports scanned for digital identity verification.

These enhanced security measures are part of the airport's broader efforts to streamline the border control process, particularly in response to the growing demand for UK-bound flights.

However, critics argue that the persistent congestion and technical issues at the passport control area still present challenges for international travelers at Brussels Airport.

The new Entry/Exit System (EES) at Brussels Airport utilizes advanced biometric technology, including facial recognition and fingerprint scans, to verify the identity and travel history of non-EU citizens.

The EES system is designed to calculate the length of stay for non-EU citizens within the European Union, helping to identify potential overstay issues.

Separate lanes have been implemented at Brussels Airport's passport control for non-EU citizens, where their passports are scanned and their identities are verified digitally.

The EES is a collaborative effort between the Federal Police and Brussels Airport, with support from the European External Borders Fund, indicating the scale and complexity of this initiative.

While the automated eGates at Brussels Airport are currently only available for EU citizens, the airport is exploring the possibility of expanding the system to accommodate non-EU passengers in the future.

Data analysis has shown that frequent business travelers who use the automated passport control gates experience up to a 50% reduction in their average waiting time compared to using the traditional manual counters.

The automated passport control system at Brussels Airport is capable of processing up to 30 passengers per minute, significantly faster than the previous manual process.

Brussels Airport's overhaul of the passport control area is part of a broader initiative to future-proof the airport's infrastructure, with plans to integrate more biometric technologies across additional touchpoints in the coming years.

Inside Look Brussels Airport's Revamped Passport Control for Arriving UK Flights - Early Arrival Advisory for Smooth Travel Experience


Brussels Airport has implemented an "Early Arrival Advisory" program to enhance the travel experience for passengers on UK-bound flights.

Passengers are advised to consult the airport's website for the most up-to-date information on recommended arrival times, as the airport has implemented advanced security screening measures and designated waiting areas to ensure social distancing.

The airport's new "Welcome Back" tool allows travelers to determine the optimal arrival time for their specific flight to ensure a smooth and efficient journey.

Brussels Airport's "Early Arrival Advisory" program recommends that passengers consult the airport's website for the most up-to-date information on optimal arrival times for their flights, ensuring a smooth travel experience.

The airport has implemented advanced security screening measures and designated waiting areas to enforce social distancing, enhancing safety and efficiency during the travel process.

Passengers can utilize the "Welcome Back" tool on the Brussels Airport website to determine the ideal arrival time for their specific flight, based on real-time data and airport conditions.

The revamped passport control area at Brussels Airport is equipped with automated e-gates that employ facial recognition technology, allowing eligible passengers to quickly verify their identities and pass through border control without manual intervention.

The strategic placement of the automated e-gates in the passport control area is designed to cater to the growing demand for UK-bound flights, ensuring a more efficient and streamlined arrival experience for these travelers.

Initial technical challenges faced during the implementation of the automated e-gates have been resolved, and the system is now operating at its intended capacity, providing a smoother and faster passport control process.

Brussels Airport is the first major European airport to integrate iris scanning technology into its automated passport control gates, adding an extra layer of biometric security for eligible travelers.

Data analysis has shown that frequent business travelers who utilize the automated passport control gates experience up to a 50% reduction in their average waiting time compared to using the traditional manual counters.

The airport's overhaul of the passport control area is part of a broader initiative to future-proof its infrastructure, with plans to integrate more biometric technologies across additional touchpoints in the coming years, further enhancing the travel experience.

Inside Look Brussels Airport's Revamped Passport Control for Arriving UK Flights - Ongoing Improvements for Efficient Border Crossing


Brussels Airport has implemented several measures to streamline the passport control process and provide a more efficient border crossing experience for travelers.

The installation of automated eGates, which utilize facial recognition technology, has significantly reduced queuing times for eligible passengers, particularly EU citizens.

However, persistent congestion and technical issues continue to plague the passport control area, leading to frustration among some international travelers.

To address these challenges, Brussels Airport has introduced an "Early Arrival Advisory" program, encouraging passengers to consult the airport's website for the most up-to-date information on recommended arrival times.

The airport has also implemented advanced security screening measures and designated waiting areas to maintain social distancing.

Additionally, the airport is exploring the possibility of expanding the automated eGate system to accommodate non-EU passengers, subject to regulatory approvals.

Despite these ongoing improvements, the airport's overhaul of the passport control area remains a work in progress, with the integration of more biometric technologies and continued efforts to address the challenges faced by international travelers at Brussels Airport.

Brussels Airport has introduced iris scanning technology into its automated passport control gates, making it the first major European airport to integrate this biometric security feature.

The automated eGates at Brussels Airport can process up to 30 passengers per minute, which is significantly faster than the traditional manual passport control.

Data analysis shows that frequent business travelers who use the automated eGates experience up to a 50% reduction in their average passport control waiting time compared to using the traditional counters.

The airport's new Entry/Exit System (EES) for non-EU citizens utilizes advanced biometric technology, including facial recognition and fingerprint scans, to verify identity and track travel history within the European Union.

Brussels Airport has implemented separate lanes for non-EU citizens at passport control, where their passports are scanned and their identities verified digitally as part of the EES system.

The automated passport control system at Brussels Airport is programmed to adjust its processing speed based on the volume of arriving passengers, ensuring a consistently smooth experience for travelers.

Despite the introduction of the automated eGates, there have been instances of long queues at Brussels Airport's non-Schengen passport control, with wait times of up to four hours reported.

Technical problems with the eGates have at times exacerbated the issue of long queues, leading to temporary congestion at the airport's passport control area.

The Belgian Federal Police's time-consuming passport controls and a work-to-rule action by police at the border controls have also contributed to the delays at Brussels Airport's passport control.

Brussels Airport's overhaul of the passport control area is part of a larger initiative to future-proof the airport's infrastructure, with plans to integrate more biometric technologies across additional touchpoints in the coming years.

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