Travel chaos at UK airports – after London and Manchester confirm nationwide border problem | UK news

Both Stansted and Gatwick airports said the problem was related to the electronic gates at passport control.

Chaos was reported at UK airports – as several airports confirmed a nationwide border problem.

Both Stansted and Gatwick airports said the problem was related to electronic gates at passport control.

A Heathrow spokesman said: “Border Force is currently dealing with a nationwide issue affecting passengers being processed through the border.

“Our teams are supporting the Border Force with their contingency plans to help resolve the issue as quickly as possible and are available to provide passenger welfare. We apologize for any impact this has on passenger journeys.”

Manchester Airport has also confirmed that the UK border system is down as part of a nationwide disruption.

A London Gatwick spokesman said: “Some passengers may experience delays at immigration due to a nationwide issue with UK Border Force electronic gates.

“Our staff work with the UK Border Force – who operate passport control, including electronic gates – to provide assistance to passengers where needed.”

He said his teams are working to help passengers at the airport.

A passenger at Gatwick Airport posted a video of the queues, telling X there were “lots of kids and no water”.

One passenger at Heathrow Airport said they had already been queuing for an hour and it was “just getting longer”.

They added that “no information has been provided” about how long it may take to resolve the issue.

Stansted Airport said at X: “UK Border Force is experiencing nationwide issues affecting electronic gates at a number of airports, including London Stansted.”

They said in a statement to Sky News: “Our operational and customer service colleagues are supporting passengers while UK Border Force and the Home Office deal with the issue.”

Edinburgh Airport said: “Border Force is experiencing a nationwide technical outage affecting airports across the UK.

“Although not during a peak period for arrivals, some passengers may experience longer than normal waits at the border while UKBF works to remedy the problem.” He added: “Thank you for your patience.”

A Home Office spokesman said: “We are aware of a technical issue affecting electronic gates across the country.

“We are working closely with the Border Force and affected airports to resolve the issue as soon as possible and apologize to all passengers for any inconvenience caused.”

The disruption comes after Border Force workers staged a four-day strike at Heathrow in a dispute over working conditions last week.

The union said workers had protested against plans to introduce new lists which they claim will see around 250 of them forced out of their jobs at passport control.

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