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Reported plans by the Border Force to charge air travellers for fast track passport checks at UK airports have been condemned by a leading trade body.
The disclosure prompted an angry reaction from the British Air Transport Association.
Chief executive, Tim Alderslade, said: “The government and Border Force must ensure that this premium service does not become their overriding priority. Whilst at certain airports there may be some level of demand for this product at immigration halls, such an arrangement should not detract from the need for Border Force to provide the standard, required service which ensures that service levels and targets are met.
“This should not become the new ‘normal’ for passengers – and they should not have to pay extra to fund a service that they should expect to receive anyway.
“The proposed changes could have major implications for passengers – especially at smaller airports with constrained infrastructure and limited space to accommodate premium offerings.
“Moreover, Brexit means that future border and immigration arrangements are unclear and therefore substantial changes should be avoided until the full implications of the referendum result as they impact on border operations are better understood.”