LONDON (AP) — The head of British Airways has urged the British government to move immediately to shorten the long lines regularly faced by passengers arriving at Europe's largest airport, London's Heathrow.

In a letter Monday to the Times of London, CEO Alex Cruz says two-hour immigration lines are the norm now for non-European travelers at Heathrow. He described the situation as a "farce," and said it was worse than any other European airport.

Cruz suggested the lines are sending a poor message for a country trying to prove it was open for business as it prepares to leave the 28-nation European Union next year.

Britain's Home Office disputed Cruz's assertion, saying "the vast majority" of people coming into Britain cross the border "within our service standards."