UK: Brexit could mean longer airport queues at passport control, airport

Passengers landing at UK airports could be in for longer queues after Brexit, airports have warned. The Airport Operators Association (AOA) has said that that stricter passport checks would have knock-on effects on waiting times. Currently, EU nationals are able to use electronic ePassport gates or a separate screening system when they land in Britain, while citizens of other countries face a “hard border” regime, which involves them being quizzed about the purpose of their visit. The AOA said that it would be “highly disruptive” if all passengers arriving from overseas faced the same full border checks. AOA has already raised fears that the Border Force does not have enough resources to properly manage the arrival of passengers at UK airports, noting that its budget has decreased while traveller numbers have increased. <br/>