Call for action over fears of summer chaos at airports

HOME Secretary Priti Patel has been urged to take immediate action to prevent chaotic scenes at airports in the coming months.

- David Williamson

It’s feared that a shortage of Border Force staff during tourism’s all-important summer season will lead to a repeat of the long queues and flight cancellations seen over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

Conservative MP Henry Smith, who leads the cross-party Future of Aviation group, warned Ms Patel that the sector’s post- pandemic recovery is being “held back by staff shortages at all levels”.

Karen Dee, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association (AOA), confirmed that “queues at the border are a real concern”. She believes such delays will “undermine people’s willingness and confidence to travel”.