希思罗机场开“后门” 花钱可快速入境_时事

希思罗机场开“后门” 花钱可快速入境

Wealthy travellers can pay £1,800 to jump long immigration queues at Heathrow airport.

The service, described as Heathrow's 'best kept' secret has outraged critics at a time when many passengers are forced to endure a three-hour wait to enter the country.

And it follows claims long queues and staff shortages have forced customs officials to stop screening travellers for arms and drugs.

Passengers who pay the £1,800 fee are whisked by limousine from their aircraft to a VIP suite, where they can sip champagne while their passports are checked and their luggage is brought to them.

The fee covers up to six passengers, who are given priority treatment, even if airport staff are stretched by long queues inside the terminal.

Staff shortages, caused by recent government cutbacks, have been blamed for weeks of chaos at Britain's airports.

Some travellers arriving in the UK have had to endure queues of three hours to pass through immigration, prompting huge numbers of complaints.

Police officers have been called in on several occasions in recent weeks to control impatient passengers who had attempted to force their way through immigration without having their passports checked.

The chaos has piled pressure on immigration minister Damian Green and critics are calling on Home Secretary Theresa May to intervene.

Louise Ellman, chairwoman of the Commons transport select committee said the VIP offer 'shows the contempt for members of the public trying to get into the country.'