Last Thursday about 10:30am I got through security in minutes. It then took 40 mins to get through Passport Control. The queue started in Duty Free. I had reached the airport in plenty time as I'm a twitchy traveller but even so my gate was called only 10 mins after I got through passports.

What a mess.

Unless something has changed since February, you check in/drop bags, go up the escalator, pass through security, down the escalator, left into the duty free/cafe area. Once you have passed through there you turn right and then go through passport control before the gates, don't you? Passport control was certainly after duty free before they enlarged the airport. 

During the remodelling this might have been different, but as far as I am aware it's the case now?     

If you are flying to UK or Ireland you have to go through a passport control before entering the holding pens where the shops and food hall are located. If going to a Schengen country eg France or Germany you bypass that bit.

When I flew to Belfast in October I was through the whole lot in 20 minutes.

Weird.

My experience on Thursday was (1) straight to security (carry on bag), (2) through Duty Free to the shopping area, (3) the 40 min. queue for Passport control, (4) the gate waiting area, (5) Lift to the gate corridor, (6) Escalator down one floor, (7) Airbridge to aircraft.

It was midday and I hadn't had a drop (yet).

Honest.

That will upset UK government no end, not making sure people aren't triple checked before getting on a plane and heading towards their green and pleasant land.

But you have all dutifully filled in your API data when checking in so I guess they know you are coming.

"Why the check leaving Portugal?"

The data is probably transmitted to UK Border Force so they know who's coming and can be waiting for you at the other end. Seems a bit of overkill since airlines are required to send API to officialdom.

Possibly also a way to determine if anyone's overstayed their welcome. A bit strange also, since anyone driving to and from Portugal, or travelling by train or coach,  is not subject to the same checks. Evil do-ers obviously travel only by air.

It could also fall into the category of bureaucracy, seems a bit of that in Portugal, keeps a few jobsworths in employment and the unemployment figures down. Of course it’s none essential, hence sometimes there’s no one there, but when they do turn up, they can draw a wage.

UK will also need a large number of new low paid workers once the blue channel at the airports is gone.

Family members left this morning and told me they had to go through duty free first. 

Passport Control is after duty free where you go to the gates. 

Big Col wrote: Now that we have left the EU, how are things going through Faro airport either on arrival or departure? Any changes of note?

Departure for UK bound travellers is already set up for the special pre flight identity checks needed to enter the country. Likewise waiting to show passports on arrival, which those coming from Schengen countries do not.

The only likely change at either end is if customs import limits and inspections are re-introduced. Those of a certain age will remember when you could only take back 200 fags and the red and green channels. Nothing to declare, sir?

Theoretically yes, limits for alcohol and tobacco could be the same as they are now when entering UK from a non-EU country,  but stuff bought at the airport by UK-bound travellers could be tax free.  I wouldn't base holiday plans on that premise.

We shall see.