Blunder allows foreign nationals to bypass immigration at Newcastle Airport

Foreign nationals were allowed through an airport without passing though immigration control because of a budget airline blunder, it has emerged.

Passengers flying into Newcastle Airport from Prague were directed to go through domestic arrivals - skipping border controls - before the error was noticed.

Jet2 which operated the flight on May 27 from the Czech Republic said an investigation was under way and a member of staff had been suspended.

An airline spokeswoman said: "I can confirm that customers for the flight LS510 arriving into Newcastle from Prague on the 27th May were initially routed through the domestic arrivals gate before the error was noticed.

"The customers concerned were quickly redirected through the international arrivals area but unfortunately a number of passengers passed by border control before the error was rectified.

"Jet2.com takes incidents like this very seriously and subsequently the member of staff has been suspended pending a full investigation and further training has been given to our staff at Newcastle."

Newcastle Airport declined to comment.

PA