British holidaymaker have endured horrific waits at European passport checks

Queues are due to tighter EU regulations on entering and leave 'Schengen' area

A minister has said the UK to bring in 'British-only' lanes in response to chaos

Britain should introduce UK-only passport lanes at its own airports in retaliation for the customs chaos suffered in Europe, a minister said today.

The unnamed Tory has suggested that it is 'subterfuge' by EU neighbours including France and Germany to warn what they'll do to British travellers post-Brexit.

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EU rules that mean travellers from outside the Schengen free movement zone are subject to stricter vetting at passport control because of the terror threat in Europe.

It has caused airport carnage with people queuing for up to four hours at passport control - sometimes twice the duration of their flight.

This was the scene at Barcelona's El Prat airport last night as the chaos of European airports continues. The problem in the Spanish airport has been exacerbated by an industrial dispute

But the senior MP backing UK-only passport lanes at home said that European nations like Belgium, Holland and Germany have all seen significant numbers of their citizens join ISIS.

'One wonders if this isn't just subterfuge from EU members states, if they aren't just trying to give us a warning that this is something that's in store for us after Brexit', the unnamed minister told The Daily Telegraph.

'Holland, Belgium and Germany have among the highest numbers of Isil fighters. Should we be putting extra controls on them?

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'We should consider British-only lanes in the UK if they want to behave like that. Border controls should be based on reciprocal relationships. If it abuses this reciprocity we should have British only lanes.'

Holidaymakers trying to return from Europe this weekend have been told to get to airports at least three hours early amid fears of mayhem at passport control.

Airline bosses say thousands of UK travellers could miss flights as airports struggle to cope with new EU border rules on one of the busiest weekends of the year.

British tourists have endured horrific waits at passport checks in Europe this summer (holidaymakers pictured here in Palma, Majorca last month). A government minister has now proposed introducing UK only queues at British airports

There was chaos earlier this week as UK tourists were left queuing for up to four hours at passport checks in Spain and France.

But with ten million people expected to pass through Europe's airports tomorrow and on Sunday, airlines fear a complete meltdown that could leave passengers stranded.

Last night, it emerged British Airways and easyJet were sending text alerts to customers urging them to turn up early.

Ryanair said it was advising passengers to arrive at least three hours before departure on short-haul flights, instead of the usual two.

But Airlines For Europe, which represents airlines including the three firms, said these measures may not be enough at the worst-hit airports – and urged travellers to consider arriving even earlier.

This was the scene in Barcelona last night, where new regulations have coincided with a industry action by security staff

To make matters worse, passengers were warned they will not get compensation from their airline or be able to claim on their travel insurance if they miss a flight as a result.

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The chaos has been caused by EU rules that mean travellers from outside the Schengen free movement zone are subject to stricter vetting at passport control.

Airlines For Europe predicts this weekend will be one of the busiest of the year, with around five million people flying in and out of European airports both tomorrow and on Sunday – double the average daily number.

Passport control at Palma airport in Majorca is expected to have to process a record 190,000 passengers tomorrow, as 1,117 flights pass through.

Even those flying back to Britain from Palma in off-peak periods this week reported hour-long hold-ups at immigration. On Tuesday night just four passport control guards were dealing with hundreds of passengers.

The minister said the UK could reciprocate if the situation did not improve for British tourists

Airlines are expecting bottlenecks at other airports such as Malaga, Amsterdam and Lyon. BA last night said it had texted customers flying back from Lyon, Madrid, Barcelona and Milan Linate, but would extend the warnings. A spokesman said: 'We're texting customers flying from airports that we know are having issues to ask them to arrive early.'

Government sources insisted aviation minister Lord Callanan had received assurances from Spain, Portugal, Italy and France that more border staff would be supplied in coming days. But ministers have come under fire from lobby group Airlines UK for ignoring warnings about the problem in May.

Tory MP Charlie Elphicke said: 'EU countries urgently need to ensure they have enough passport control officers to avoid airport chaos.

'Given the mismanagement of borders by the EU, holidaymakers should leave extra time … this is one of the biggest getaway weekends of the year, so long queues at airports are a real worry.'

Last night there were growing fears passengers who miss flights could be left hundreds of pounds out of pocket.

The Association of British Insurers said most policies will not pay out if a flight is missed due to delays at passport control. Most cover only specific mishaps such as mechanical failure or strikes.

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Guy Anker of Moneysavingexpert.com said: 'It is vital you get to the airport as early as possible … there is a severe lack of safety nets if you do miss your flight.'