Eurostar has issued a stark warning that new European Union border checks, scheduled for introduction in 2024, could trigger permanent disruption and severe queues for British travellers crossing the Channel. The high-speed rail service fears the changes could cap its passenger capacity, significantly impacting travel between the UK and the continent.
The Core of the Problem: The Entry/Exit System (EES)
The impending crisis centres on the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES), an automated IT system designed to register non-EU nationals each time they cross an external EU border. This is a direct consequence of the UK's post-Brexit status.
Unlike the current process of simply stamping passports, the EES will require the collection of biometric data, including fingerprints and a facial scan. This must be done in person on the first trip into the EU after the system goes live.
St Pancras: A Station, Not an Airport
The fundamental issue, as explained by Eurostar CEO Gwendoline Cazenave, is that London St Pancras station lacks the space and infrastructure of a major international airport. There is simply no room to install the necessary kiosks and processing areas without causing monumental bottlenecks.
"We are very concerned," Cazenave stated. "We need to find a space to do the border control of the new EES. Without a new solution, we could have a permanent queue of up to an hour at St Pancras."
Potential Passenger Cap and Financial Impact
The operational nightmare could force Eurostar to implement a hard cap on passenger numbers. The company estimates it might have to reduce capacity by up to 30% compared to pre-pandemic levels. This would equate to turning away hundreds of thousands of travellers annually.
Such a reduction would be a severe blow to Eurostar's recovery and to the broader travel and tourism industries in London, Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam. The service currently operates at around 80% of its 2019 capacity.
A Search for Solutions
Eurostar is urgently working with the UK government and station owner HS1 to find a workable solution. Proposals include:
- Creating a separate, dedicated area within St Pancras for EES checks.
- Implementing a "double boarding" process to stagger passenger flows.
- Developing a pre-registration app to speed up the process, though initial biometric capture must still be in person.
However, with the EES expected to be implemented in late 2024, time is running out to design, approve, and build a functional solution. For UK travellers dreaming of a seamless city break in Paris, the reality from next year may involve lengthy queues reminiscent of airport check-in, right in the heart of London.
