British airports, including Heathrow, Stansted, and Manchester, were in turmoil due to a reported technical issue with Border Control’s passport e-gates causing long queues. The problem affected the e-gates system at multiple airports, leading to chaos for returning holidaymakers. The Home Office acknowledged the technical issue and assured passengers that they are working to resolve it. Images on social media showed crowded lines at passport control, with some passengers describing the situation as a ‘catastrophe’ and ‘worse than any third-world country.’
Passengers at Heathrow and Manchester reported scenes of chaos, with thousands of people waiting at border control due to the e-gates malfunction. Passports were being checked manually at Manchester Airport, leading to delays for passengers trying to disembark. British Airways passengers were stuck on planes at Heathrow’s Terminal 5, unable to get off due to the ongoing situation. Some passengers expressed frustration at the lack of information and provisions, including running out of water in the airport restroom taps.
Long queues were also seen at Stansted airport, with passengers reporting that thousands of people were waiting in line with no announcements or assistance provided. Some passengers criticized the lack of backup plans in case of a computer system failure at the airports. One passenger claimed that multiple terminals at Heathrow had all e-gates down, leading to delays and confusion among passengers. Airports deployed staff to assist passengers during the disruption, offering water and explanations for the delays attributed to a ‘nationwide’ problem affecting all UK airports.
Airlines informed customers about the disruption, with Ryanair notifying passengers about extended queue times at passport control. The e-gates outage impacted all UK airports, causing delays for travelers going through immigration checks. Manchester Airport confirmed that UK Border Force’s system issue affected multiple airports, and their Resilience Team was supporting passengers during the problem. Previous incidents of Border Force outages had caused significant delays, such as the one last month affecting airports like Edinburgh, Gatwick, Heathrow, and Luton. The situation remains ongoing, with efforts to resolve the technical issue and reduce disruptions for passengers.
Passengers affected by the airport chaos expressed frustration and disappointment at the lack of communication and organization during the e-gates outage. The delays and long queues caused inconvenience and discomfort for those traveling through the airports. Airlines and airport staff worked to provide assistance and information to passengers, with some handing out water bottles and addressing concerns about the situation. As the disruption continued, passengers and authorities monitored the progress of resolving the technical issue to restore normal operations at UK airports affected by the e-gates malfunction.
Overall, the technical issue with Border Control’s passport e-gates had a widespread impact on UK airports, leading to chaos, delays, and frustration among travelers returning to the country. The situation highlighted the need for effective contingency plans and communication protocols during system outages to minimize disruptions for passengers. Authorities and airlines worked together to address the issue, provide support to affected passengers, and resolve the e-gates malfunction to restore smooth operations at the airports. Improvements in technology and operational processes may help prevent similar incidents in the future and ensure a better travel experience for passengers.
