Passengers arriving at London’s Heathrow this summer could face lengthy delays at passport control as immigration staff are being redeployed from their normal roles to collect biometric data off Olympic athletes arriving in dedicated passport lanes.
The Daily Telegraph reports that visiting athletes have been urged to supply biometric data – such as fingerprints and photographs – in advance but those who do not will need to have the information taken by border staff.
The Border Agency has warned the process could result in normal passengers being delayed passing through immigration controls.
An ‘athletes only’ Games terminal will be opened for one day only after the Olympics to help deal with the vast numbers of athletes returning home.
An agency spokesman told the Daily Mail, “We have plans in place to make Games Family Members’ arrivals at Heathrow as quick and simple as possible.”
