A technical fault at British airports tonight has disrupted border control’s passport e-gates, causing chaos at Heathrow, Stansted, Gatwick, Edinburgh, and Manchester. Thousands of passengers have been left waiting in long queues without water or food as an unspecified technical issue with the Border Force gate system caused widespread delays. Social media is flooded with images and videos of frustrated travelers stuck at various terminals. Passengers have expressed their anger, with one describing the situation as a complete disgrace due to inadequate contingency plans for computer system failures.
This disruption has led to scenes of chaos at UK airports, with passengers stranded on planes at Heathrow T5 unable to disembark due to the technical issue. Some passengers have been unable to access refreshments, with toilet taps running out of water, forcing passengers to wash their hands with bottled water. Airlines like British Airways have apologized to passengers for the delays caused by the IT issue at Border Force UK and are working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. Passengers at London Heathrow Terminal 2 have described the border control situation as a catastrophe, estimating long waiting times and a lack of communication from airport staff.
Travelers at various airports, including Stansted and Heathrow, have taken to social media to express their frustration over the malfunctioning e-gates and the lack of contingency plans to deal with such technical issues. Passengers reported that every single E-Gate was not working at multiple terminals, leading to delays and confusion among travelers. Despite efforts to distribute water bottles to waiting passengers, the situation has caused significant inconvenience to those arriving in the UK. The Home Office has acknowledged the technical issue affecting eGates and is working with Border Force and airports to resolve the problem and apologize for the inconvenience caused to passengers.
The disruption has affected a wide range of passengers, including families with children, who have been left waiting in long queues without basic necessities like water or food. Passengers stranded on planes have expressed their frustration at the lack of information and delays in disembarking. The chaos at UK airports has prompted outrage on social media, with travelers sharing their experiences and criticizing the lack of contingency plans for technical faults. The situation has been described as worse than third-world countries by some passengers, highlighting the severity of the issue and the impact on travelers arriving in the UK.
Despite efforts to resolve the technical issue affecting eGates, the situation at UK airports remains chaotic, with long queues and delays continuing to cause frustration among passengers. Travelers have highlighted the lack of communication and support from airport staff, leading to an atmosphere of uncertainty and inconvenience for those arriving in the UK. The disruption has drawn attention to the importance of contingency plans and preparedness for technical failures at critical points of entry like airports. The Home Office and Border Force are working to address the issue and minimize the impact on passengers, who have been left waiting for hours without proper assistance or information.
