Heathrow queues shorter on strike day
01.12.11
Heathrow Airport immigration queues were shorter than normal yesterday despite strike action by border control staff, as airlines cut passenger load factors and passengers switched to fly on other days. Airport operator BAA said contingency plans helped prevent delays but it warned that today (Thursday) was expected be busier than usual, so it has put extra customer services staff on standby to support passengers.
In addition to fewer passengers, the Telegraph reports that the UK Border Agency had agreed with authorities in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan that they would carry out thorough passport checks on passengers travelling to the UK, allowing the replacement border staff at Heathrow to carry out faster face and passport scan checks.
Colin Matthews, chief executive of BAA, said the smooth running of immigration was a victory for the airport's strategy of co-operation with the airlines, which reduced passenger numbers by about a third compared with a normal November 30 through running flights with fewer customers, and cancelling flights. However, he warned there could be a knock-on effect today when passengers arrive on alternative flights and there are forecasts of high winds. He was expecting Heathrow to be ‘extra busy’.
Gatwick Airport also had no delays at border control yesterday.
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