RFID trialled for airport security

Officials at Manchester Airport have been trialling the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to track the movements of its passengers.

About 50,000 volunteers have carried the tags for a six-month period as part of the trial, according to the Telegraph. It is expected that other airports will begin using the technology over the next two years.

A full rollout of the scheme at Manchester Airport will result in RFID tags being attached to boarding passes.

The tags will help airports to find missing passengers and reduce flight delays, said a spokesman for airport operator BAA, as just one missing traveller can lead to take-off slots being missed.

Dr Paul Brennan of University College London added: "It is intended to make sure that everybody gets to the flight in time. Delays are costing the industry £100 million a year."

RFID tags are currently being used at a number of airports worldwide to track luggage and prevent bags and cases from being misplaced.

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