The problem with the system was confirmed in English airports in Bristol, Southampton, Manchester and Londonincluding the country's largest airport Heathrow. Airports in Poland are also struggling with the failure Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen in Scotland.
British media report chaos. You can see it in the videos and photos published on social media hundreds of confused passengers crowding at the passport desks.
Airport representatives reported that the problem concerns electronic gates at passport control.
From a system that enables passengers self-scanning of passports, can be used by British citizens over 12 years of age, citizens of European Union countries and several other countries, including: Australia, Canada, USA, Japan and New Zealand. It is estimated that in a normal situation with electronic gates, depending on the airport, 60-80 percent use it. passengers.
Failure on the Islands. Passengers may experience delays
– Some passengers may experience delays due to a nationwide problem with electronic gates British Border Service – said a spokesman for London Gatwick Airport.
– Our employees cooperate with British Border Servicewhich handles passport control, including electronic gates, to provide assistance to passengers when needed, he added.
So far, there is no information on how long it may take to remove the fault or what could have caused the failure.
Sky News it said that it was similar failure of the electronic gate system occurred in May 2023. This then resulted in long queues lasting several hours delays for passengers.
Strike at Heathrow Airport
British media remind that the failure occurred a few days after strike of border guards working at Heathrow Airport.
The officers protested against plans to introduce new schedules, which they believed would result in 250 people will have to leave their positions.
– It is disappointing that despite the talks last week, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is not ready to introduce any flexibility into the new schedules – said Fran Heathcote, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) trade union of border service workers.
She added that “none of our dedicated and very experienced members of the border guard want to take strike action.” – But the way they were treated by the employer leaves them no choice – she explained.
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