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United Kingdom: British Airways system outage causes chaos at Heathrow Airport
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Passengers face travel chaos as ePassport gates are closed across UK airports.
The issue is likely to cause lengthy delays at passport controls for bank holiday travelers traveling to the country as all airports that use the gates are affected.
The Home Office confirmed the news after the system crashed Friday night – but did not specify how long the error would take.
Describing the scenes at Edinburgh Airport as “chaos”, a passenger reported a queue of more than 300 people at passport control on Friday night.
Another spoke of the “total chaos” at Gatwick airport passport control, with “queues of over an hour” due to the e-passport gates being dropped.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are aware of an issue with the nationwide border system affecting arrivals in the UK.
“We are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible and are communicating with port operators and airlines to minimize disruption to travelers.”
It comes after thousands of people found their bank holiday plans in shambles, with British Airways having to cancel dozens of flights on Thursday and Friday after an IT failure.
Key PointsShow Latest Update 1685178084Bank Holiday Travel As passport e-gates fail across UK
Passengers are facing long delays due to the closure of ePassport gates across UK airports.
The issue is likely to cause lengthy delays at passport controls for bank holiday travelers traveling to the country as all airports that use the gates are affected.
The Home Office confirmed the news after the system crashed Friday night – but did not specify how long the error would take.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are aware of an issue with the nationwide border system affecting arrivals in the UK.
“We are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible and are communicating with port operators and airlines to minimize disruption to travelers.”
It comes after thousands of people found their bank holiday plans in shambles, with British Airways having to cancel dozens of flights on Thursday and Friday after an IT failure.
Tara Cobham, May 27, 2023 10:01
1685198879 A traveler said passport control was ‘incredible’ and ‘stifling heat’
One passenger described his experience at Gatwick passport control in the early hours of Saturday morning as “unbelievable” and “sweltering”.
Chris O’Hara added, “Welcome to modern Britain.”
He wrote on social media: ‘2am Passport Control North Gatwick Station. Incredible. Welcome to modern Britain.’
“And of course, the air conditioning is off, so it’s stiflingly hot.”
One passenger described his experience at Gatwick passport control in the early hours of Saturday morning as “unbelievable” and “sweltering”.
(Chris O’Hara)
Passengers face travel chaos as ePassport gates are closed across UK airports
(Chris O’Hara)
Tara Cobham, May 27, 2023, at 15:47
1685196989 Up to 19.2 million estimated car trips for the Bank Holiday
The RAC estimated that drivers across the UK will embark on 19.2 million leisure car trips between Friday and Monday, making it the busiest bank holiday in late May since 2019.
Transport data company Inrix has warned that journeys on some stretches of the M25 will take up to three times longer than normal.
They include clockwise from Junction 23 for Hatfield to Junction 28 for Chelmsford, and counterclockwise towards Dartford Crossing.
Long delays are also expected on the M5 at Somerset and the M6 at Cheshire and Greater Manchester.
Tara Cobham, May 27, 2023, at 15:16
1685195069 Travelers in Dover also ran into long waiting lists
Long queues affected commuters in Dover, which also suffered from IT problems, although wait times were falling.
Port of Dover’s latest update on Twitter read: “As expected, Port of Dover is busy but currently traffic is being handled well and according to plan. Previous IT issues at the border have been resolved. Parking times for cars and buses are now between 30 – 45 hours.” minute “.
Commuters line up on ferries at Dover Port in Kent as the half-term break continues and the bank holiday weekend continues
(PA)
Long queues affected commuters in Dover, which also suffered from IT problems, although wait times were falling.
(PA)
Tara Cobham, May 27, 2023, 14:44
1685193389 The Border Force has drawn up “strong plans,” says the Home Office
A Home Office spokeswoman said the Border Force had made “robust plans” to deploy officers to reduce disruption and waiting times.
The automated online portal system is available to British citizens over the age of 12 and citizens from the European Union, as well as people from several other countries including Australia, Canada, the United States, Japan and New Zealand.
A spokeswoman said: “We are aware of an issue with the nationwide border system affecting arrivals into the UK.
“We are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible and are communicating with port operators and airlines to minimize disruption to travelers.”
Tara Cobham, May 27, 2023 14:16
1685191589 Gatwick Airports says the situation is ‘manageable’
Gatwick Airport told The Independent that the situation on the ground was “manageable”.
She added that the e-passport gates remain closed.
Tara Cobham, May 27, 2023 13:46
1685189789 Video shows long delays at passport control at Gatwick Airport
Long delays at Gatwick passport control following the national shutdown of ePassport gates
Tara Cobham, May 27, 2023 13:16
Gatwick Airport ‘helps passengers’
A spokesman for Gatwick Airport said the problem began on Friday evening but queues eased on Saturday morning and staff were “providing assistance to passengers when necessary”.
He said: “Some passengers may experience delays at immigration due to a nationwide issue with UK Border Force e-gates.
“Our staff work with the UK Border Force – who carry out passport control including at electronic gates – to provide assistance to travelers where necessary.”
Tara Cobham, May 27, 2023 12:48
1685186381 Pictures of “utter chaos” at Gatwick Airport
Another passenger demonstrated the “utter mayhem” at Gatwick Airport after the electronic passport gates were dropped.
They posted a series of photos of people waiting at border control in long lines on Twitter, with the caption “Absolute chaos at Gatwick”.
The Independent has contacted Gatwick Airport for comment.
Another passenger demonstrated the “utter mayhem” at Gatwick Airport after the electronic passport gates were dropped
(@theburnxngwolf/twitter)
The traveler posted a series of photos of people waiting at border control in long lines on Twitter, with the caption, “Absolute chaos at Gatwick.”
(@theburnxngwolf/twitter)
Passengers face travel chaos as ePassport gates are closed across UK airports
(@theburnxngwolf/twitter)
Tara Cobham, May 27, 2023 12:19
Traveler shows ‘extended delays at passport control’
A passenger told of “extended delays at passport control” at Gatwick Airport upon arriving there on Saturday morning.
Along with a picture of the queues posted on social media, Luke Herr said he was in Germany on a business trip where there was a relatively “great process”.
Describing the chaos, he said: “Welcome to the United Kingdom.”
A passenger told of “extended delays at passport control” at Gatwick Airport upon arriving there on Saturday morning
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Tara Cobham, May 27, 2023, 11:47
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