LONDON-A nationwide border system issue hit electronic gates at British airports, causing chaos for holidaymakers and passengers arriving into the country. Images shared online showed long queues building at major airports, with many looking to travel ahead of a public holiday Monday and with schools also on half-term breaks. The failure means travelers must have their passports checked manually rather than by machine.
Fed-up travelers took to social media to vent their anger, claiming they had to wait in queues for several hours to have their passport seen.
“We are aware of a nationwide border system issue affecting arrivals into the UK,” a Home Office spokesperson told CNN in a statement Saturday. “We are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible and are liaising with port operators and airlines to minimise disruption for travellers,” the spokesperson added. A London Heathrow airport spokesperson said: “We are aware of a nationwide issue impacting the eGates, which are operated by Border Force. “This issue is impacting a number of ports of entry and is not Heathrow specific. Our teams are working closely with Border Force to help resolve the problem as quickly as possible.__The Nation
