EU Border Checks Cause Chaos for British Travelers
The introduction of the new Entry-Exit System (EES) in the European Union has led to significant disruptions at airports across the continent, particularly for British travelers. Despite calls for a temporary suspension of the system, Portugal and Italy have refused to halt the biometric checks, which require non-EU visitors to submit facial scans and fingerprints at border crossings.
This decision has sparked frustration among holidaymakers, who have faced long queues and missed flights due to the inefficiencies of the system. The EES was initially set to become fully operational by last month, but delays have continued to plague its rollout. Reports suggest that the system is pushing some airports to “breaking point,” with some travelers waiting hours just to complete the required checks.
While Greece recently suspended the EES rules, citing the need for a smoother arrival process, other countries such as Spain, France, and Croatia are reportedly considering similar actions. This could lead to a situation where the EES rules collapse like a “house of cards” if not addressed effectively.
Seamus McCauley from travel company Holiday Extras highlighted the growing concerns among European nations. He stated that countries may be forced to defy the EU to protect the tourism sector, which is vital for many economies. “Countries are not going to sit back and let Greece take their trade because they won’t face EES delays at airports,” he said. “To do so would be politically toxic as jobs are on the line.”
Ryanair, one of Europe’s largest airlines, has also criticized the EES system, calling it “half-baked.” Neil McMahon, the airline’s chief operations officer, argued that governments are attempting to roll out an incomplete IT system during the busiest travel season. “Passengers are paying the price, being forced to endure hours-long passport control queues and in some cases missing flights. The solution is simple – governments should suspend EES until September.”
The impact of the EES has been felt at several major airports. Alicante Airport, one of Spain’s busiest, has been “pushed to breaking point” due to the system and a lack of staff. Similarly, Málaga Airport has experienced significant delays, with one British holidaymaker, Michelle Maguire, left stranded with her daughter after missing her flight. The family eventually had to wait 24 hours to return home, costing them £1,000.
Queues have also been a problem in Italy, with long lines reported at airports such as Bergamo, Malpensa, Fiumicino, Ciampino, Venice, Turin, Palermo, Pisa, and Naples. In France, travelers have faced extended waits at Beauvais, Marseille, and Nantes airports.
Greece’s decision to suspend the EES has been seen as a strategic move to protect its tourism industry, which heavily relies on British visitors. Destinations such as Corfu, Crete, and Rhodes receive thousands of UK arrivals daily during peak season. According to The Association of British Travel Agents, Greece is expected to rank as the fifth most popular destination for British holidaymakers this summer.
The European Commission has stated it is in contact with Greece to clarify the situation. While the rules allow for short-term suspensions in exceptional circumstances, they do not permit blanket exemptions for specific nationalities or extended periods.
In addition to the EES issues, airlines are also grappling with sky-rocketing jet fuel prices caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. As a result, 13,000 flights have been cut globally this month. However, travelers have been urged not to change their plans, as there is currently no fuel shortage in the UK, with contingency plans in place if the situation worsens.
