Passengers have claimed Manchester Airport is running 'more efficiently' after the Royal Navy were drafted in to help cover the ongoing Border Force strikes.
Around 1,000 Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) members working as Border Force officers at Gatwick, Heathrow, Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester and Glasgow airports - and the port of Newhaven - resumed strikes yesterday (December 28), that are set to last for four days in a row over pay, jobs, and conditions.
On Wednesday (December 28) the Manchester Evening News reported how passengers had breezed through small queues in 'record time' at passport control in Manchester, with many commending the miltary personnel who were appointed to help out.
Travellers were warned to prepare for possible delays amid fears the walkout could lead to much longer queues and delayed plane departures. But passengers have continued to praised the military standing in at various airports for the striking Border Force officers, commenting on the speed in which they made it through passport control.
People have also been told by Manchester Airport that as a result of the strike action being taken by UK Border Force staff, pre-booked passport control 'fast track' tickets were unable to be honoured.
On Twitter on Thursday (December 29), more passengers shared their positive experience after landing in Manchester, with @NikkiHesford posting: "Got through Manchester Passport Control in a record 2.5 minutes this morning. Can the military take over permanently?"
As @mattmcclurg wrote: "Same at Manchester - passport control is running smoothly and more efficient than ever before. Why would we want to pay border force more when they do a poor job."
Another passenger, @LiverpoolRunner posted: "The organisation from the @RoyalNavy at passport control at Manchester Airport is absolutely top drawer" as @BaelishGang said: "I went through security today, it took me 10 min max. My friend also went through security yesterday and she said it was very quick as well!"
As @AdamDandy added: @RoyalNavy manning every single desk doing everyone proud this morning @manairport the whole A380 of us from Dubai were through in just 10 minutes flat, nothing like the normal shambles of #borderforce proud to see our armed forces showing how they roll, absolute class!"
Some passengers contacted Manchester Airport on Twitter ahead of their travel to ask about delays, and were told: "Waiting times at the border may, at times, be longer than usual. Whilst we do not have exact timings on how long queues may be, our teams in the terminals are on hand to support where possible and we are working with Border Force to reduce delays as soon as possible. Thank you."
The defence secretary, Ben Wallace, visited Manchester Airport on Thursday to speak with Royal Navy personnel covering for striking Border Force workers. The airport, meanwhile, said it had been given assurances of sufficient resource at border gates to allow a full flight schedule to operate and reported no significant delays for inbound passengers at passport control as a result of the industrial action.
Mr Wallace, speaking at Manchester Airport, said the Government would not be 'held to ransom' by striking public sector workers. As the wave of industrial action showed no sign of abating, he insisted there was 'no magic wand' to produce the money for above-inflation pay awards.
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