Passengers at several UK airports have been facing delays caused by a widespread "technical outage" that is impacting the e-gates of the UK Border Force.
Passport E-Gate Technical Outage Sparked Flight Delays in UK
Manchester airport has stated that they have a dedicated team and customer services staff in place to assist passengers during the time that UK Border Force resolves the issue.
According to a recent report, the UK Border Force is currently facing widespread problems with eGates at various airports, including Manchester.
Our teams are working closely with UK Border Force staff to ensure minimal disruption to passengers as they address the issue.
Passengers are currently experiencing travel disruptions to and from airports as a result of ongoing industrial action impacting train services across the UK until Saturday as per The Guardian reported.
Earlier, Gatwick airport issued a statement informing passengers about the possibility of limited or canceled train services to and from the airport in Sussex. Authorities advised travelers to plan their journey in advance and allocate extra time accordingly.
Border Force Systems Among Affected
E-gates are automated gates that utilize facial recognition technology to verify a person's identity and grant them entry into the country without the need for direct interaction with a Border Force officer.
According to the BBC, based on the government's website, there are over 270 of these in operation at 15 air and rail ports in the UK. Their purpose is to facilitate faster travel into the country.
However, it seems that the issue is not limited to the gates alone. Belfast International Airport, which does not have these gates, has reported that the Border Force "systems" have also been affected.
A spokesperson confirmed that the airport is collaborating with Border Force to implement backup plans for handling flights arriving from international destinations until the situation is resolved.
Manchester Airport mentioned that their customer-services colleagues were assisting passengers by distributing water to those who were facing delays.
Any additional fees for individuals who are delayed in exiting car parks due to the issues will also be waived.
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