Member Article

Local airport hit back at claims of Border Check failings

Durham Tees Valley Airport has stressed that it conducts all appropriate checks on passengers under the requirements of the UK Border Agency.

Shaun Woods the airport manager issued the message after widespread reports that some airports in the UK were failing to conduct proper checks on private charter flights.

He commented: “I want people to be absolutely clear that, the decisions on how to implement border controls are a matter for the UK Border Agency with whom we work very closely.

“I also want people to know that any suggestion passengers or crew could pass through the airport without undergoing the appropriate checks required by the UK Border Agency is plain wrong.”

The Border Agency does have arrangements in place for private flights to seek ‘pre-arrival’ checks for crew and passengers, which requires details of each individual on the plane to be provided in advance of arrival at their destination.

This includes name, nationality, date of birth and passport or national identity card details—and can only be applied to passengers or crew from the European Union or European Economic Area.

Mr Woods added: “Any passengers or crew from countries outside the EU or EEA must undergo standard arrival checks—and the Border Agency has the discretion at any time to require any or all passengers and crew to undergo standard checks.

“It should be stressed that these procedures from the UK Border Agency have been in place for some time.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .