British holidaymakers face potential chaos this summer as airport and ferry operators express grave concerns over lengthy delays caused by new European Union border controls. The EU's recently implemented Entry-Exit System (EES), which requires non-EU travelers to register biometric data, has led to significant hold-ups at several airports despite smooth operations in some countries.
Stefan Schulte, president of Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, stated that politicians should cease claiming the EES is functioning effectively, noting that passengers are experiencing hours-long queues during peak times. He warned that coping with the anticipated increase in summer traffic will be challenging and suggested the system should be suspended when necessary to avoid chaos. "This is about showing respect and decency for those who chose to travel to the EU, and safeguarding our reputation as a welcoming and efficient destination," Schulte added.
Christophe Mathieu, chief executive of Brittany Ferries, echoed these concerns, highlighting that the EES implementation has increased port departure times by approximately 50 percent. He criticized the timing of the rollout, arguing that a system of this magnitude should have been thoroughly tested and fully operational beforehand. Mathieu noted that the company has repeatedly voiced its concerns to authorities in Paris, Brussels, and Madrid, suggesting a disconnect between official assurances and the reality at border crossings. Brittany Ferries has proposed a practical solution involving on-board biometric checks during ferry crossings to allow passengers to disembark seamlessly, but this idea has not gained traction.
The disruptions are already manifesting. Earlier this month, a Ryanair flight from Greece to the UK departed without dozens of passengers due to extensive queues at passport control at Athens International Airport. The airline blamed border delays, while the airport cited congestion related to the EES introduction. Travel writer Milo Boyd described "mega queues" of several hundred people at both security and passport control, with some passengers missing their flight.
This is not an isolated incident. British airline passengers were recently left stranded in Toulouse when a plane departed without approximately 150 passengers on board due to delays after security checks. One passenger described the airport situation as "pure chaos" with no clear organizational system in place. Similarly, a Ryanair flight from Milan Bergamo to Manchester departed in April without a number of passengers after they faced extended waiting times at border control.
The European Commission has indicated that the EES can be suspended in certain circumstances until September. Earlier this year, Greece's tourism minister expressed a desire to avoid burdening tourists with bureaucratic procedures and suggested British passengers would be exempt from biometric checks. However, this position was later disputed by the Greek Foreign Ministry, leaving the exemption unclear.
