Heathrow passport queues hit 2½ hours

PASSPORT control queue times reached two and a half hours at Heathrow last month.

The UK Border Force achieved its target of processing 95 per cent of passengers from outside the European Economic Area within 45 minutes on just one day in July.

The longest queues were on July 6, when non-EEA visitors spent up to two hours and 36 minutes waiting in immigration queues.

Craig Kreeger of Virgin Atlantic, which obtained the figures, said: ‘We all agree that security and safety at our airports is vital and remains our top priority, but other countries are managing their borders more effectively. When the UK needs to show the world it is open for business, the Government and Border Force need to provide a great first impression for every visitor every time.’

Heathrow chief John HollandKaye has called for visitors from ‘low-risk countries such as the US’ to use the same electronic gates as EU citizens.

A Home Office spokesman said: ‘The vast majority of people who arrive at Heathrow get through the border within our service standards.

‘But we understand the frustration for those who have experienced longer waits and remain fully committed to working with our partners to reduce times.

‘We will not compromise the essential checks we carry out at the border.’

‘Great first impression’