An Algarve MP has been asking questions about the long queues that have become the norm at Faro airport for travellers entering the country.
Teresa Caeiro, a CDS-PP member of parliament has asked the Minister of Planning and Infrastructure about recent local press reports of long delays at passport control, especially on Sundays which is the busiest day of the week.
The MP points out that the Algarve is one of Europe's top tourist destinations and Faro Airport has been trying to cater for an increasing number of passengers this year, not always successfully.
The MP said that although the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) has an increased number of staff on duty this summer, the six passport control points, even when fully manned, are unable to cater for big passenger numbers and many people have had to wait in airport coaches as they can not physically get into the terminal building.
The Algarve Resident (July 14th, 2016) ran a front page picture and two page story outlining the overcrowding problem at faro airport and gave reports of passengers fainting as they waited to go through passport control. While the Resident put the increase in numbers in a positive light - more tourism means more money for the region - the underlying problem has not yet been dealt with.
The MP refers to the "Algarve’s regional press," thus showing that she reads The Resident, and said the that the machines that allow entry to EU digital passport holders do not work well because they were installed as part of a 2004 pilot project, hence are more than 12 years old and work intermittently at best.
Teresa Caeiro is well aware of the ANA expansion work going on at the airport but asks the minister what measures are being implemented immediately to rectify this situation to allow quicker entry through passport control, also asking for an opening date for the new passport control area.
