Olympics: Heathrow airport a 'nightmare'

Barbara Kendall. File photo / NZ Herald

Olympian Barbara Kendall has slammed Heathrow airport, describing it as a "nightmare."

Kendall, an IOC member, arrived in London three days ago.

She took to Twitter to vent her frustration, tweeting, "Heathrow Airport Immigration is a nightmare!! took me 2 hours to get through and it is not Olympic time yet."

The five-time Olympian is in London ahead of the Olympics, which begin on July 27.

Another notable tweet from @disabilityaid said, "went through terminal 5 Heathrow Airport on Sunday - a nightmare! 4 hour delay at immigration. Avoid Heathrow at all costs!"

Kendall has since tweeted complimentary comments about London's fine weather and her excitement at the Olympics sailing venue.

London Mayor Boris Johnson wrote to Home Secretary Theresa May last month to express his "serious concern" about immigration problems at Heathrow.

He said the difficulties at Heathrow gave "a terrible impression of the UK" and it was unfortunate that the country's main port of entry was "gaining such a poor reputation".

A report earlier this year by Heathrow chief executive Normand Boivin forecast 80 per cent of all Games visitors would pass through the airport.'

The report anticipated the busiest day in the airport's history would be on August 13, the day after the Olympics closing ceremony.

138,000 passengers are due to leave through Heathrow, a 45 per cent increase on the 95,000 on a normal day.

The airport is building a temporary games departure terminal to deal with the exodus at the end of the Games.

The terminal is being built in an area currently used for staff parking and will be in operation for just three days following the closing ceremony.

The airport is also planning for around 390 athletes expected to bring 780 firearms through the airport.

However, with the Olympics less than two months away, questions remain about how the airport will cope.