BCN passport control delays
May 3, 17, 9:58 am
#1
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BCN passport control delays
Just received a text from BAeService advising me to be at passport control 90 mins before departure for a BCN-LHR flight tomorrow.
Have noticed the passport queues departing BCN getting longer (think there is a new EU reg affecting departing passport checks at non-Schengen airports, there are some posts about this at other airports on other boards, and there is a press story about a half plane load of Ryanair pax missing their flight at BCN last week, though that is from a different terminal).
However, 90 mins seems excessive. The most it has taken me to get through at passport control at BCN on a BA/Vueling flight is <5 mins.
Has anyone else experienced any delays, or know the reason for this BA message?
Have noticed the passport queues departing BCN getting longer (think there is a new EU reg affecting departing passport checks at non-Schengen airports, there are some posts about this at other airports on other boards, and there is a press story about a half plane load of Ryanair pax missing their flight at BCN last week, though that is from a different terminal).
However, 90 mins seems excessive. The most it has taken me to get through at passport control at BCN on a BA/Vueling flight is <5 mins.
Has anyone else experienced any delays, or know the reason for this BA message?
May 3, 17, 10:04 am
#3
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Hi wyvern,
I was down there a few times last summer with work and really got the impression that exit immigration struggles with the number of agents vs. pax. I waited over 50 minutes when departing last July and suspect things haven't improved much in time for this year's either sadly.
My one tip is to make sure you are in the EU national queue if you have an EU/EEA passport. The queuing system is not very good as they often run out of space for the tensa barrier maze.
I was down there a few times last summer with work and really got the impression that exit immigration struggles with the number of agents vs. pax. I waited over 50 minutes when departing last July and suspect things haven't improved much in time for this year's either sadly.
My one tip is to make sure you are in the EU national queue if you have an EU/EEA passport. The queuing system is not very good as they often run out of space for the tensa barrier maze.
May 3, 17, 10:24 am
#6
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I queued for an hour to get to the exit passport control after the Easter weekend - seemingly only 3 desks manned and lots of angry passengers. This weekend was better - only 15 minutes on bank holiday Monday evening but again only a few of the desks were manned. I was told there's some kind of industrial dispute between the airport and the border police.
May 3, 17, 11:23 am
#7
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May 3, 17, 11:31 am
#8
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Barcelona is getting over-run, or so some residents are saying (30 million visitors in 2016). It's become a huge hit with tourists from Asia. The mayor, Ada Colau, has also made statements saying she doesn't think the city can't cope any more.
However I don't think its connected with this directly, since passport control - which only affects non Schengen travellers - is handled by the Cuerpo Nacional de Polica and Guardia Civil, which are both under national control. El Prat may be getting over-stretched however.
[Doesn't affect back to back passengers, there is no passport control].
However I don't think its connected with this directly, since passport control - which only affects non Schengen travellers - is handled by the Cuerpo Nacional de Polica and Guardia Civil, which are both under national control. El Prat may be getting over-stretched however.
[Doesn't affect back to back passengers, there is no passport control].
May 3, 17, 11:40 am
#9
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Took me 45 min last week. The non-EU queue was actually moving faster as they had several agents. I heard something about strikes or negotiations with immigration staff.
Loads of people queue jumping to catch flights which increased the queue rage. A few did miss their flights in the end. All a bit of a jest.
Loads of people queue jumping to catch flights which increased the queue rage. A few did miss their flights in the end. All a bit of a jest.
May 3, 17, 11:54 am
#10
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http://lmgtfy.com/?q=barcelona+gover...easing+tourism
"Decrease" may not be the right word, but maybe "manage" is the correct term. Barca gets a shed load of tourists -- the numbers are growing by a lot -- and a lot of locals are not fans.
"Decrease" may not be the right word, but maybe "manage" is the correct term. Barca gets a shed load of tourists -- the numbers are growing by a lot -- and a lot of locals are not fans.
May 3, 17, 11:55 am
#11
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I was in BCN last week and thank G-D I was travelling business.
The Q's to clear security were HORRENDOUS. I would even put them as scary as passengers were clearly going to miss flights.
In comparison, the business and family lines were EMPTY...
I know a business class ticket comes with certain privileges, BUT the lines for economy were outrageous....
The Q's to clear security were HORRENDOUS. I would even put them as scary as passengers were clearly going to miss flights.
In comparison, the business and family lines were EMPTY...
I know a business class ticket comes with certain privileges, BUT the lines for economy were outrageous....
May 3, 17, 12:18 pm
#12
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On Saturday late afternoon, took me 50 minutes from the exit from fast track security until I was through exit immigration. Queues stretched far back beyond the sign saying left for non-EU, right for EU, which caused additional chaos once people shuffled forward to find out they were in the wrong side... Lots of very stressed people, some people pushing through to the front, lots of crew pushing through to the front including a few instances where they nearly caused a fight by doing it, and general all-round grumpyness
May 3, 17, 12:49 pm
#14
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Not been through BCN in a little while, but the border staff for entry into non-Schengen area at T1 always used to slow their work rate right down when Gibraltar was in the news...
