Airline hits out over queues

British Airways has launched an attack on the Home Office over “dreadful” immigration queues at airports.

UK nationals and visitors are being forced to wait in lines for more than an hour after arriving on some international flights, according to the carrier.

There are “routinely” just a third of the 29 automatic egates open at Heathrow’s Terminal 5, and they shut “pre- maturely” at 11pm while customers are still making their way off flights.

In its submission to a Home Office consultation on scrappingthe process of passengers filling in landing cards, the airline warned that the UK must show it is “an easy place to travel to”.

BA’S director of Heathrow, Raghbir S Pattar, called on UK Border Force to put more focus into operating in “the most efficient and flexible way” to ensure passengers’ needs are prioritised.