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Heathrow Airport passport queues reach 2.5 hours | Heathrow Airport passport queues reach 2.5 hours |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Delays at Heathrow Airport passport control left passengers queuing for up to two and a half hours last month, figures show. | Delays at Heathrow Airport passport control left passengers queuing for up to two and a half hours last month, figures show. |
On 30 of 31 days in July, the border force missed its target of a 45-minute wait or less for 95% of visitors from outside the European Economic Area. | On 30 of 31 days in July, the border force missed its target of a 45-minute wait or less for 95% of visitors from outside the European Economic Area. |
Virgin Atlantic, which obtained the data, said passengers were "frustrated". | Virgin Atlantic, which obtained the data, said passengers were "frustrated". |
The government said it would send 200 extra staff to Heathrow this summer. | The government said it would send 200 extra staff to Heathrow this summer. |
According to the data, the longest immigration queues were on 6 July when travellers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) - an area made up of 31 European countries - had to wait in line for up to two hours and 38 minutes. | According to the data, the longest immigration queues were on 6 July when travellers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) - an area made up of 31 European countries - had to wait in line for up to two hours and 38 minutes. |
Craig Kreeger, the boss of Virgin Atlantic, said while it was agreed that security and safety was a priority, other countries were managing their borders better than the UK. | Craig Kreeger, the boss of Virgin Atlantic, said while it was agreed that security and safety was a priority, other countries were managing their borders better than the UK. |
He said "only the Border Force" could take action to "resolve these unacceptable queue times". | He said "only the Border Force" could take action to "resolve these unacceptable queue times". |
"At a time when the UK needs to show the world it is open for business, the government and Border Force need to provide a great first impression for every visitor every time," he said. | "At a time when the UK needs to show the world it is open for business, the government and Border Force need to provide a great first impression for every visitor every time," he said. |
Citizens aged 12 or over from the European Union, the EEA and Switzerland can use the electronic gates at Heathrow's passport control - but visitors from all other countries must have their passports checked by a border force official. | Citizens aged 12 or over from the European Union, the EEA and Switzerland can use the electronic gates at Heathrow's passport control - but visitors from all other countries must have their passports checked by a border force official. |
Michael Klein, an art dealer from New York who regularly travels through Heathrow, described his experiences of the airport as "just horrendous". | Michael Klein, an art dealer from New York who regularly travels through Heathrow, described his experiences of the airport as "just horrendous". |
Mr Klein, 66, told the BBC he had queued for two hours or more at passport control on three occasions in the past month alone. | Mr Klein, 66, told the BBC he had queued for two hours or more at passport control on three occasions in the past month alone. |
"There's absolutely no accommodations made for families or elderly. No one seems to care," he added. | "There's absolutely no accommodations made for families or elderly. No one seems to care," he added. |
John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow's chief executive, has previously called for the Home Office to allow visitors from "low risk countries" - like the US, he suggests - to be allowed to use the electronic gates. | John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow's chief executive, has previously called for the Home Office to allow visitors from "low risk countries" - like the US, he suggests - to be allowed to use the electronic gates. |
'Border farce' | 'Border farce' |
Last week the boss of British Airways, Alex Cruz, wrote a letter to the Times urging the government to deal with Heathrow's "border farce". | Last week the boss of British Airways, Alex Cruz, wrote a letter to the Times urging the government to deal with Heathrow's "border farce". |
He said "two-hour queues are fast becoming the norm" and Heathrow had missed its target for non-EEA arrivals 6,000 times so far this year. | He said "two-hour queues are fast becoming the norm" and Heathrow had missed its target for non-EEA arrivals 6,000 times so far this year. |
BBC reporter Jenny Kumah said the Home Office explained its poor performance in July was worsened by a "large numbers of vulnerable adults and children arriving", alongside a number of computer errors. | BBC reporter Jenny Kumah said the Home Office explained its poor performance in July was worsened by a "large numbers of vulnerable adults and children arriving", alongside a number of computer errors. |
A Home Office spokesman said: "The vast majority of people who arrive at Heathrow get through the border within our service standards. | A Home Office spokesman said: "The vast majority of people who arrive at Heathrow get through the border within our service standards. |
"But we understand the frustration for those who have experienced longer waits and remain fully committed to working with our partners to reduce waiting times as far as is possible. | "But we understand the frustration for those who have experienced longer waits and remain fully committed to working with our partners to reduce waiting times as far as is possible. |
"At the same time, we will not compromise the essential checks we carry out at the border which keep our country safe. | "At the same time, we will not compromise the essential checks we carry out at the border which keep our country safe. |
"We are making sure Border Force has the resources it needs and are deploying 200 additional staff at Heathrow over the summer." | "We are making sure Border Force has the resources it needs and are deploying 200 additional staff at Heathrow over the summer." |