The spectre of post-Brexit travel chaos is set to become a harsh reality for millions of Britons, as industry leaders issue a stark warning over the EU's impending new border regime. The automated Entry/Exit System (EES) is slated for introduction in October 2024, promising unprecedented delays and widespread disruption at ports and airports across Europe.
What is the EES and Why Will It Cause Chaos?
The Entry/Exit System is a sophisticated digital border control system designed to automatically register non-EU nationals each time they cross an external EU border. While intended to bolster security, its implementation is a logistical nightmare waiting to happen.
Travellers will be required to undergo stringent new checks, including:
- Facial image capture
- Fingerprint scanning
- Stamping of passports will be eliminated
- Detailed recording of dates and places of entry and exit
Ground-Handlers Sound the Alarm
The UK's Aviation and Travel sectors are ringing alarm bells. The Airport Services Association (ASA), which represents major ground-handling companies, has written a dire warning to the EU. They state that the current infrastructure at Eurostar terminals and ferry ports is "wholly inadequate" to handle the new time-consuming process.
They predict that processing times for coach passengers—who often travel in large groups—could skyrocket from under two minutes to a staggering over ten minutes per person. This could see delays for a single coach load stretching to a mind-boggling seven hours.
Eurostar and Ferry Ports: The Epicentre of the Crisis
The situation at London St Pancras's Eurostar terminal is particularly dire. The ASA warns that the terminal, a vital artery to the continent, simply does not have the physical space to accommodate the new EES kiosks and the resulting queues without causing "serious disruption and extended queuing."
Similar scenes are anticipated at busy ferry ports like Dover, where the flow of vehicles and foot passengers could slow to a crawl, creating traffic gridlock that stretches for miles.
The Looming Threat to Flights and Holidays
The chaos won't be confined to rail and sea. Air travel is also in the crosshairs. The ASA's letter makes it clear that the aviation industry is "not equipped" to manage the EES without significant delays and potential flight cancellations.
Travellers are being urged to brace for a turbulent period of transition, with the very real possibility of missed flights, ruined holidays, and immense frustration becoming the new norm for travel to the EU from October 2024 onwards.
