UK airports warn of post-Brexit congestion

BTN News
Monday, 16 January 2017

People flying to the UK could face airport delays after the UK leaves the EU (Brexit) unless the Border Force (BF) employs more people, according to the Airport Operators Association (AOA), which has claimed 'more stringent' passport checks could result in longer queues and processing times.


The AOA claims growth in air traffic has not been matched by more BF officers. The Force is responsible for immigration and Customs checks.


In 2015, there were 251 million passenger trips through Britain's airports, but BF staff numbers fell from 8,332 in 2014-15 to 7,911 in 2015-16.


AOA said not only were more delays likely, airports would also have to spend "millions" on extra facilities for immigration checks if any stricter controls went ahead.


The AOA has recommended the government keep the current system in place for EU passengers travelling to UK airports (EU nationals travelling by air currently use a separate system or automatic ePassport gates when entering the UK).


However, a Home Office spokesperson said: "We are clear the BF has the capacity to meet passenger demand and maintain security.


"Our Border Force officers currently clear passengers within our agreed waiting times in more than 95 per cent of cases and will continue to carry out stringent checks on 100 per cent of scheduled passengers arriving in the UK."

UK airports warn of post-Brexit congestion

BTN News
Monday, 16 January 2017

People flying to the UK could face airport delays after the UK leaves the EU (Brexit) unless the Border Force (BF) employs more people, according to the Airport Operators Association (AOA), which has claimed 'more stringent' passport checks could result in longer queues and processing times.


The AOA claims growth in air traffic has not been matched by more BF officers. The Force is responsible for immigration and Customs checks.


In 2015, there were 251 million passenger trips through Britain's airports, but BF staff numbers fell from 8,332 in 2014-15 to 7,911 in 2015-16.


AOA said not only were more delays likely, airports would also have to spend "millions" on extra facilities for immigration checks if any stricter controls went ahead.


The AOA has recommended the government keep the current system in place for EU passengers travelling to UK airports (EU nationals travelling by air currently use a separate system or automatic ePassport gates when entering the UK).


However, a Home Office spokesperson said: "We are clear the BF has the capacity to meet passenger demand and maintain security.


"Our Border Force officers currently clear passengers within our agreed waiting times in more than 95 per cent of cases and will continue to carry out stringent checks on 100 per cent of scheduled passengers arriving in the UK."