The UK’s border system causes severe delays at airports. On Saturday, a widespread malfunction with automatic border control gates that scan passports delayed arrivals in Britain.
Social media images showed hundreds of people waiting in huge lines at London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports.
“We are aware of a nationwide border system issue affecting arrivals into the U.K.,” said a British interior ministry representative who oversees border control.
“We are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible and liaising with port operators and airlines to minimise disruption for travellers,” they told Reuters.
Heathrow, Britain’s busiest airport, said it worked with Border Force to manage the lines and added workers.
Unlike many overseas visitors, British, EU, and U.S. citizens can use e-gates to scan their passports and enter the U.K.
During a busy travel period in Britain with a spring bank holiday on Monday and a half-term vacation for schools next week, all travelers must be screened at manual checks.
“What’s up @HeathrowAirport? Arrived in chaos. “2-hour queues to get to the real queue,” one passenger tweeted.
Last summer’s workforce shortages and airport and Border Force strikes disrupted British airlines and airports.
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