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Immigration Minister makes flying visit to see small airport border checks

Damian Green visited two regional airports in Hampshire and Surrey to see how the UK's border controls operate at small airports.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Both Farnborough and Blackbushe airports are used by small aircrafts for private, business or leisure purposes and when these flights operate beyond the UK they need to be checked by Border Force. 

Arrivals

The minister took a tour of Farnborough airport, in Hampshire, and joined Border Force staff to observe the immigration and customs checks that arriving flights must under-go to secure the UK border.

He then travelled to Blackbushe, in Surrey, and met with members of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. The Minister took a tour of the airfield and met with an incoming flight to experience how arriving planes are dealt with from the pilot’s perspective.

Damian Green said: ‘We are determined to maintain the security of our border - and it is vital that we have effective intervention at small ports. 

‘By developing and expanding technology at smaller ports we will be able to provide greater security and more efficient border controls throughout the UK.’

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Published 13 April 2012