City of London officials pressed Swiss airports to grant UK travellers automated passport gates, a move aimed at easing long queues that frustrate executives and tourists. Currently, UK passengers must join manual lines, unlike Swiss and EU nationals who use e‑gates.

Chris Hayward, policy chair at the City of London Corporation, framed the request as a “nice to have” that would streamline cross‑border flows. Swiss officials cited technical and legal hurdles, noting that non‑EU travellers face extra border checks under new biometric schemes.

The push arrives as the UK and Switzerland roll out a landmark financial services agreement that lets firms serve clients across borders without a physical presence. The pact, already granting nine UK insurers and twelve Swiss wealth managers market access, could serve as a model for other non‑EU partners.

Despite technical challenges, the initiative underscores the strategic importance of smoother travel for business ties and signals a willingness to collaborate beyond EU frameworks.