Electronic passport gates at UK airports down

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By Dulce Lee and Rachel Russell, BBC News May 27, 2023, 09:15 GMT

Updated 16 minutes ago

Image source, Getty Images

photo caption,

Passengers using the gates follow instructions to scan their passports and handle the camera

Passengers traveling to the UK face delays in passport control procedures due to disruption of electronic gates across the country.

The case began at airports including Heathrow, Manchester and Gatwick, on Friday night.

The Home Office said it was working with airlines and port operators to minimize disruption caused by “the nationwide border system problem”.

Unions have warned that queues will grow rapidly.

All airports across the country that use gates are affected, meaning people flying in have to manually check their passports.

It is unclear what the problem is with the border system, with a Home Office spokesperson saying it is “too sensitive to be able to define it”.

However, while it technically affects anywhere people coming into the UK are screened, the impact is mainly felt at large airports with electronic gates.

This weekend was already expected to be a busy one for travellers, as the bank holiday coincides with half term holidays for many families.

Passengers leaving the UK from the port of Dover also faced problems after the French passport system failed earlier in the day.

The IT problem is now resolved, but cars and buses wait about an hour, with about 400 trucks queuing to cross the crossing.

Airports across the UK issued statements warning passengers of delays but said they were working with UK Border Force to minimize disruption.

A spokesman for Gatwick Airport said queues had been “manageable” so far – although they were expecting 800 flights arriving on Saturday. It confirmed that the problem first started between 19:00 and 20:00 BST on Friday.

The e-gate system speeds up the passport control process by allowing some passengers to check their passports. Facial recognition is used to verify identity and to capture the traveler’s photo.

One passenger arriving at Gatwick said the situation was “an absolute joke”.

Lucy Morton, of the Immigration Services Association, told the BBC that between 60-80% of arriving passengers usually use electronic gates, depending on the airport,

“There is no impact on national security,” she said, explaining that all arrivals will still be fully screened through the officers’ manned offices.

The portals can be used by British citizens over the age of 12 who are from the European Union, as well as people from countries such as Australia, Canada, the United States, Japan and New Zealand.

However all entry points maintain security desks manned for other passengers who are unable to use the electronic gates.

A Home Office spokesperson said they were aware of “a nationwide border regime problem affecting arrivals in the UK”.

“We are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible and are liaising with port operators and airlines to minimize disruption to travelers,” they said.

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