Long queues at passport control this summer
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Posted on: July 2nd, 2009 by Peter Headley
www.ips.gov.uk
MPs have been warned that if the plan goes ahead for electronic passport checks being introduced this summer, it will cause massive delays as the school holidays start. Thomson said that if they were introduced as ministers want it will cause bid delays. Eurostar and ferry operators all jumped saying that they would have a long waits for passengers.
The system is set go full working by 2014 and many welcome the idea, as it has been set up to track terrorist movements, illegal immigrants and check passengers against watch lists.
Mr Redfern of Tui UK who are the parent company of Thomson said that what they are asking is un-reasonable at this time of year to go live, it is just the wrong time.
“Thomson Airways has told the UK Border Agency (UKBA) we will not do that because on-time performance and delivery of the holiday product is very crucial to us at this time of year,” Redfern added, but confirming that they would obey law.
At ferry ports there is no way to scan every passenger’s passport at this time, so if this were brought in, it would mean huge delays in passengers and probably ferries leaving port.
Thanks to www.bbc.co.uk for the above quotes, for more information on this story please visit their website.
www.ips.gov.uk
