UK tourists heading to the European Union this summer are facing significant delays and missed flights due to new digital border checks introduced last October. The Entry/Exit System (EES) requires most non-EU citizens, including Britons, to register biometric data such as fingerprints and facial scans at the border.
The system has led to queues of up to five hours at some entry points, with airlines reporting flights departing half empty as passengers fail to clear security in time. Airports and carriers have urged the EU to suspend the checks during the peak holiday season, warning of continued disruption.
The EES is designed to enhance security and track overstays, but its rollout has been plagued by technical glitches and insufficient staffing. Travellers are advised to arrive at airports and ports much earlier than usual, and to ensure all travel documents are in order to minimise delays.
