Britons to be struck by travel chaos TODAY due to new passport checks and French strike

The combination of new passport checks and a strike by French air traffic control workers looks likely to cause misery for those travelling to and from the UK.

From today all travellers leaving Britain will face the introduction of the new passport checks, which have been ordered by the Government to more closely monitor those moving across our border.

But along with the increased border controls came a warning of long queues from ferry companies and the Euro Tunnel.

The exit checks are expected to particularly affect cross-Channel and Channel Tunnel travellers, with passengers arriving at the port of Dover having to face the new procedures.

P&O Ferries warned: "Coachloads of little old ladies could end up bearing the brunt of this."

The checks were delayed by a week to avoid the peak holiday time of Easter weekend, however, the new system will now be introduced gradually to minimise any travel disruption. 

All passports will be scanned in the first month but only 25 per cent of passport holders will have their details verified to ensure they are genuine.

This will move to 50 per cent verification after a month, and then to 100 per cent by the middle of June.

As well as at sea ports, the checks are also being introduced at airports.

A P&O Ferries' spokesman at Dover said: "They have picked a quiet day for the introduction of the checks. The actual scanning of passports is quick, it's the verification that takes longer.

"We are hoping that there will be a fairly seamless transition to the new system."

The Home Office has said the new checks will improve the Government's understanding of who is leaving the UK, as well as creating a clearer picture of who is staying in the country when they have no right to.

The move will also help the police and security services track the movements of known criminals and terrorists.

Security and Immigration Minister James Brokenshire said: "It is right that we have an immigration system that is fair, that tackles illegal immigration and that clamps down on those who try to cheat the system by staying here when they have no right to do so.

"Exit checks will provide us with vital information that confirms a person's exit from the UK. 

"The Coalition Government committed to reintroducing them in 2010 and the Immigration Act 2014 put in place legislation which gave carrier and port staff the powers to carry out these checks.

"Port and travel operators are experts in their business and know their customers best, which is why we've supported them to design and trial the systems for collecting data in a way that will minimise the impact on customers."

Meanwhile, Britons flying to and from France will face travel disruption tomorrow thanks to a 48-hour strike by French air traffic controllers and transport workers.

The move has led to up to 40 per cent of French services from UK carriers being cancelled tomorrow and Thursday.

Budget airline easyJet will have to axe 118 flights on Wednesday alone.

Other airlines affected by the strike include British Airways and Ryanair, while there could also be some delays to non-French services that use French airspace.

EasyJet said: "Like all airlines flying to and from France, we expect significant impact to our flights during this period. We can assure our passengers we are doing everything possible to limit the inconvenience of this strike on them."

The airline added that it was contacting all affected passengers and was also advising them to check the status of their flight.

British Airways said: "We are doing all we can to minimise disruption to customers. We will be using larger aircraft as well as re-routing some flights to try to help as many customers as possible get to where they need to be.

"Unfortunately there will be some knock-on delays to other parts of our short-haul network as a result of the strike action, given how much airspace in Europe will be affected. We are sorry for any disruption to customers' travel plans."