In an attempt to reduce security bag check queues and to enhance the customer experience, two British airports - Manchester and London Luton - have recently employed holographic customer service staff members to help the passengers.

As a result of the move, recordings of actual employees - John Walsh and Julie Capper - have been greeting passengers entering the security search area at Manchester's Terminal 1 since Friday. Dubbed as "John" and "Julie", this holographic duo explains the liquid restrictions as well as reminds the passengers about having their boarding cards ready.

The new technology being used at the Manchester Airport has been developed in association with Musion; and was launched last week as a world first by the bosses of the airport.

This week, on Tuesday, the London Luton Airport introduced two holograms - "Holly" and "Graham" - to assist the departing passengers in the security zone, advising them about preparing their luggage for going through security screenings.

The Luton Airport's holographic pair has been custom designed for the airport by Tensator, a British company which specialises in queue management as well as digital signage.

Incidentally, both the airports were supposedly unaware of the other's developments which took several months to be put in place.

Talking about the co-incidence, a Luton Airport spokesman said that "it just goes to show the idea is not a marketing gimmick;" while a Manchester Airport spokesman said: "You could say great minds think alike. We have the Musion technology on a trial basis as a showcase and will be testing its effectiveness over peak periods such as school holidays."