Tighter border controls could lead to airport delays over the Easter weekend

A letter has been sent to Home Secretary Theresa May from carriers including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, bmi British Midland and easyJet, warning of travel chaos at airports following the return of 100 per cent passport checks at a time when border staff numbers have been cut by about 25 per cent, according to the British Air Transport Association.

The letter insists that there will be overcrowding and delays going through passport control and that long queues may even delay planes from taking off on time over the busy Easter weekend.

But a UK Border Force spokesman refuted the claims, stating: "We’re working with airlines to ensure security is maintained and disruption is minimised.

"There is no evidence that there is going to be disruption."

The UK Border Agency will be keen to show it is taking security seriously following the controversy that erupted last year over security checks being relaxed to ease congestion at peak travel periods.

The UK Border Force spokesman added: "Carrying out full checks at airports help us stop threats from terrorists, criminals and others who want to harm the UK and make sure that only those with the right to enter the UK can do so."

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