The European Union's new Entry/Exit System (EES), which has caused lengthy delays at major airports, may not stabilise for one to two years, according to a senior EU border official. Uku Särekanno, a director of Frontex, told a UK travel association event that some member states are struggling to implement the system, which requires non-EU travellers to register fingerprints and facial images at the border.
The EES was first introduced last October and fully rolled out on 10 April. While EU rules allow temporary suspension of checks to prevent queues, this flexibility is expected to end in September. Concerns are mounting that the system could lead to summer travel chaos, with British holidaymakers facing potential disruptions.
Särekanno noted that the first enrolment is the most challenging, but repeat visitors can use faster lanes. He added that some countries are managing well, while others are still adjusting. In May, French police temporarily suspended checks at Dover, and Greece plans to suspend biometric checks for British travellers until September.
Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer warned that EES problems could dampen demand for EU holidays. He urged destinations to use contingency measures to suspend biometric registration where queues are unacceptable. Tanzer also cited the Middle East conflict and rising living costs as factors affecting early-summer bookings.
Shaun Morton, CEO of On the Beach, noted that later booking patterns create uncertainty but predicted overall summer travel growth. Shares in On the Beach have fallen 30% this year after the group warned of later bookings.
