British holidaymakers are experiencing significant travel disruptions at European airports and Channel ports due to the new European Union border checks. The EU's Entry Exit System (EES), implemented in April, is reportedly not running smoothly, leading to extended waiting times for millions of Britons traveling for the summer holidays.
The EES system is designed to record passengers' fingerprints and passport information at border control. However, officials at Dover Port and Heathrow Airport have raised concerns about its current performance.
Doug Bannister, chief executive of Dover Port, warned of potential "critical incidents" similar to one in May that caused hours-long delays for thousands of drivers. He anticipates "repeated episodes of severe congestion" if the EU does not adjust the system's rules, particularly with an estimated 6.3 million drivers expected to travel in the coming week.
Ferries at Dover are already experiencing hour-long delays. At Heathrow, chief executive Thomas Woldbye stated that the EES system is "not working as fluently as it should be" and urged the EU to take responsibility. He is encouraging both the UK government and the EU to make the process more flexible to avoid lengthy queues for travelers.
The delays are not confined to the UK's borders. Holidaymakers at airports in Tenerife, Palma, Alicante, Malaga, Milan, Krakow, and Paris are also encountering significant hold-ups, with some queues extending up to three hours. Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has cautioned passengers that flights will depart on schedule, even if travelers are delayed by border queues.
