Heathrow travellers STILL face huge queues after officials say it’s ‘unacceptable’ – as chaos hits Manchester airport

FRUSTRATED Heathrow passengers are facing "horrific" queues for a sixth day running with the chaos spreading to Manchester Airport.

Holidaymakers have been waiting to get through border control for hours due to a passenger backlog and strict Covid checks.

Issues with eGates and staffing at Europe's busiest airport have also caused havoc for Brits returning home.

One weary traveller fumed: "Still horrific queues at Heathrow’s T3 this morning. It’s inhumane to force the disabled and children especially to stand for hours!

"Where’s the promised improvement?"

Another posted a picture of a "Welcome to the UK" sign, saying: "Welcome to the UK T3 arrivals, now join the Long, Long wait #heathrow".

Queues have also been building at Manchester Airport with suitcases piled on conveyor belts and the floor.

The airport confirmed they have asked Border Force to investigate the delays, which they admitted were "longer than usual".

The chaos comes after the Home Office branded long delays at Heathrow "unacceptable" amid backlash from Tory MPs.

Officials finally spoke out after Brits claimed they were shoved into narrow hallways with no social distancing measures in place.

Some also said they were left "stranded" with no access to water or toilets.

One holidaymaker, Sonny Singh, told Sky News he saw a pregnant woman pass out while in the queue on Friday night.

"There were thousands of families queuing and just two people in booths up front checking documents," he claimed.

"Children were screaming and crying."

'UNACCEPTABLE'

Photos also emerged of a male traveller lying face-down on the floor of the airport.

The chaos was heightened by children under 12 being unable to use eGates - causing havoc for people returning from their first holidays abroad since lockdown.

Heathrow blamed "unacceptable queuing times in immigration" on "too few Border Force officers on duty".

The airport also claimed the Home Office "were aware of the extra demand" and said airport chiefs are "disappointed";.

A statement added: "We have escalated this with Border Force and expect them to provide a better service over the remainder of the weekend."

The Home Office finally spoke out on the delays yesterday and said it is "working closely" with Heathrow to make sure passengers have a "safe and hassle-free journey".

A statement said: "Throughout the pandemic we have been clear that queue times may be longer as we ensure all passengers are compliant with the health measures put in place to keep the UK public safe. 

"However, the very long wait times we saw at Heathrow (on Friday night) are unacceptable.

"This is the busiest weekend of the year for returning passengers, with particularly high numbers of families with children under the age of 12 who cannot use e-gates.

"Border Force is rapidly reviewing its rosters and capacity and flexibly deploying our staff across the airport to improve waiting times."