Cardiff Airport Expands eGates Access for Younger Travellers and Families

An update to UK border controls allows more children to use automated passport gates at Cardiff Airport, easing queues for families.​​​​​​​

Cardiff Airport has widened access to its eGates, allowing younger passengers to use the automated border clearance system alongside their parents or guardians. The update reflects a broader UK-wide move to lower the minimum age for eGate use, meaning more families can now clear border control together instead of being split between automated lanes and staffed passport desks.

Until now, eGates were largely restricted to older passengers, so families travelling with young children often had to queue separately at manned desks, even when the accompanying adults were eligible for automated clearance. With eligibility expanded, more children can now join their parents via the eGate system, allowing the whole family to pass together rather than waiting in two separate queues after a long flight. For parents managing tired children and heavy luggage at the same time, this small change can make the difference between a stressful arrival and a straightforward one.​​​​​​​

eGates use facial recognition technology to match a traveller's face against their passport photo, a process that typically takes only seconds per person. By allowing more young travellers to use the system, Cardiff Airport can reduce the number of passengers needing face-to-face checks from Border Force officers. This eases pressure on staff and shortens overall queue times in arrivals, benefiting all travellers passing through the airport, not just the families directly affected by the age change. Shorter queues also mean less congestion in the arrivals hall more broadly, which can improve the experience for connecting passengers and those being collected by friends or family.​​​​​​​

Passengers arriving at Cardiff Airport can expect a smoother, faster experience at the border, particularly during busy periods such as school holidays, when family travel volumes peak and queues are typically at their longest. Not every child will automatically meet the eligibility criteria, so it's worth confirming the latest requirements ahead of a trip rather than assuming the whole family will qualify. Airport staff and signage will continue to guide passengers to the correct lane based on age and passport type, so anyone unsure of where they stand should ask a member of staff on arrival rather than risk holding up the queue.

For families based in the UK, changes like this one are a reminder that the practical side of travel, getting through the airport itself, can be just as important as the destination. A faster, more joined-up border experience means less time spent standing in line and more time spent starting the holiday properly.

Small operational changes like this one can make a real difference to how a journey feels from the moment a flight lands. Families weighing up their next getaway may find that trips through airports offering wider eGate access are that bit less stressful, particularly with young children in tow.​​​​​​​

Crystal Travel's flight booking specialists can help plan journeys with this in mind, offering guidance on flight times, airport processes, and what to expect at border control when travelling as a family, so the only queue anyone needs to worry about is the one for the taxi home.​​​​​​​