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Heathrow Airport passport queues reach two and a half hours in July, figures reveal

<em>Queues at Heathrow Airport reached two and a half hours last month, new figures reveal (PA)</em>
Queues at Heathrow Airport reached two and a half hours last month, new figures reveal (PA)

July saw passport queues at Heathrow Airport reach two and a half hours, according to new figures.

Data obtained by Virgin Atlantic shows that UK Border Force only achieved its target of processing 95% of passengers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) within 45 minutes on just one day in July.

The longest queues happened on July 6, when non-EEA visitors spent up to two hours and 36 minutes waiting in immigration queues.

Virgin Atlantic chief executive Craig Kreeger said: ‘This summer significant queues at Border Control mean that thousands of visitors have regularly faced the longest queues in London to get their passports checked, often over two hours, leaving them frustrated before they’ve even started their trip.

‘At Virgin Atlantic we’re doing our bit to try and help our international customers – providing extra staff as well as drinks and snacks for the queue – but only the Border Force can resolve these unacceptable queue times and they must take action.

<em>The longest queues happened on July 6, when non-EEA visitors spent up to two hours and 36 minutes waiting in immigration queues (Rex)</em>
The longest queues happened on July 6, when non-EEA visitors spent up to two hours and 36 minutes waiting in immigration queues (Rex)

‘We all agree that security and safety at our airports is vital and remains our top priority, but other countries are managing their borders more effectively.

‘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.’

Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye has called for the Home Office to allow visitors from ‘low risk countries such as the US’ to use the same electronic gates that European Union citizens can access.

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He previously blamed a ‘lack of staffing’ for long queues during an England World Cup game.

The Home Office said the queues were partially caused by a computer failure and a large number of vulnerable adults and children arriving.

British Airways chief executive Alex Cruz warned last week that Heathrow’s queues were ‘significantly worse’ than elsewhere in the continent.

<em>British Airways chief executive Alex Cruz warned last week that Heathrow’s queues were ‘significantly worse’ than elsewhere in the continent (Rex)</em>
British Airways chief executive Alex Cruz warned last week that Heathrow’s queues were ‘significantly worse’ than elsewhere in the continent (Rex)

Writing in The Times, Mr Cruz said: ‘Two-hour queues are fast becoming the norm.’

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.

‘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.’