2023-05-27 14:45:27
London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports have cited a nationwide issue affecting the British Border Police’s passport control system.
A computer glitch affecting the automated passport control system created major delays for arriving travelers at UK airports on Saturday. On social networks, many travelers have complained of having to wait several hours before being able to pass immigration controls, in the middle of the long weekend.
London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports cited a national issue affecting “e-gatesof the British border police, which allow automatic passage of checks. “Our teams are working closely with border police to resolve the issue as quickly as possibleHeathrow Airport said on its website, adding that additional staff have been deployed to manage queues and assist passengers.
The UK has over 270 e-gates across 15 infrastructures. They are available to travelers over the age of 12, whether they are British, EU nationals or several other countries (including Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan or the United States). “We are aware of a nationwide issue (…) affecting arrivals to the UKsaid a spokeswoman for the UK Home Office. “We are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible and are working with operators and airlines to minimize disruption to travelers“, she added.
Long queues were also reported on Saturday morning to board the cross-Channel ferries at the port of Dover (south-east of England) due to a computer problem at passport control at the French border. This one was “resolvedsaid the port on Twitter, estimating between 30 and 45 minutes the wait time in the middle of the day, compared to 90 minutes in the morning.
These disruptions come after the airline British Airways had to cancel many flights – 175 according to the British agency PA – between Thursday and Friday due to a technical problem.
#Significant #delays #arriving #airports #due #computer #bug