Holograms at check-in to cut security queues

PASSENGERS at Manchester Airport will be greeted by holograms of staff from next week in a bid to reduce security check queues.

The images of customer service workers John and Julie were created by the same company which brought the chart-topping animated band Gorillaz to life on stage.

The recordings of actual employees John Walsh and Julie Capper will appear as travellers enter the security search area at Terminal 1. They will explain the liquid restrictions and remind passengers to have their boarding cards ready.

Bosses at the airport say it has become the first in the world to introduce holograms as part of its passenger security preparation.

Julie Armstrong, customer services director at Manchester Airport, said: “We are always looking for new ways to improve the experience of our airport for customers but four years after the restrictions were introduced, passengers understandably forget about liquids.

“We don’t want anyone to have to throw their drink or make-up away so we’ve tried lots of different ways to reinforce the liquid rules, from posters to people dressed up as giant deodorant cans.

“Maybe holograms are the answer. You certainly can’t miss them and with the real John and Julie already being popular with our customers, I’m hopeful that their virtual selves will be a big hit too.”

The cutting-edge technology developed with hi-tech firm Musion also provides the option of recording other scripts to use at the airport.

The holograms will be in place from Monday.

Other airports around Britain are investigating their installation, Manchester Airport said.

Picture: Julie Capper with a hologram of herself, which will greet passengers at Manchester Airport. Picture: PA/Wire