Minister orders inquiry into passport control mix up
14.11.07
Immigration Minister Liam Byrne has ordered an investigation into a security breach at Leeds Bradford Airport. Passengers arriving on an international flight were allowed through Passport Control unchecked after a mix-up by airport officials. Desperate attempts were made to 'round up' the passengers in the baggage hall, but it is thought that at least five people had already collected their luggage and left the airport by the time the error was uncovered.
Confusion began when Airside Operations at Leeds Bradford gave clearance for a Ryanair flight from Dublin to park at stand eight in the international area, rather than its usual stand, the Telegraph and Argus reports. Staff at Servisair, Ryanair's handling agent, were then told to send the newly-arrived passengers through the International Arrivals gate.
However, the arrival of the flight from Dublin coincided with a delayed Brussels flight, leading to passengers arriving from the continent being mixed in with passengers flying in from Ireland. The newspaper reports that Home Office staff were not manning Passport Control at the time because they had been told it was only the Dublin passengers coming through.
An Leeds Bradford Airport spokesman said: 'Steps were taken immediately to recover passengers from Brussels for immigration checks. Procedures have been put in place to make sure that a similar situation does not happen again. Airport staff have been told to ensure that, in future, passengers arriving from Dublin always used the designated entry into the terminal, Gate 51.'
Meanwhile, Mr Bryne flew into Leeds Bradford yesterday to unveil new improved security arrangements at the airport. Travellers are now being met by Immigration Officers in their new uniform - dark blue suits and light blue shirts - and new-style passport scanners have been introduced to allow immigration officers to read chips in modern passports which contain further proof that the holders are who they say they are.
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