HOLIDAYMAKERS braced for airport delays yesterday were waved through passport control with few checks.

Many relieved Brits said it seemed as if new rules to vet passengers from outside the Schengen free-movement zone had been eased.

4 'Waved through' ... Sean Maher with sons Aidan and Conor Credit: © Chris Eades

It followed days of misery for thousands who missed flights after being caught in long queues at passport control in popular European holiday destination airports.

But some criticised officials for failing to conduct proper checks.

Chris Barwick, 44, of Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, said he was ignored by an official at Palma, Majorca, which had been hit by long queues.

He said: “He didn’t even look at my photo. You expect them to be less lax. I’d rather queue for longer and be safe.”

Sean Maher, 51, who flew into Gatwick from Palma, said: “They weren’t implementing the new procedure.”

Sean, who had been away with kids Aidan, eight, and Conor, four, said: “They just waved you straight through without looking.”

4 Large crowds queue at Palma in Majorca

4 Still some frustration for families at Gatwick Credit: © Chris Eades

Caren Burton, 31, of Wellingborough, Northants, said a worker in Budapest, Hungary, “just glanced at my passport”.

Under new measures, passports of people from outside the Schengen zone like the UK are cross-referred against three databases to catch terrorists and criminals.

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They were expected to cause delays, with ten million flying in and out of Europe including two million from UK airports.

UK Travel association ABTA urged holidaymakers to continue to allow extra time at airports.

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