French Tech Delays Spare Eurostar Passengers from New EU Biometric Checks
Passengers travelling from the UK to France via Eurostar, the Shuttle, or cross-Channel ferries will not face new biometric checks in the coming weeks, despite an imminent deadline for the full implementation of the EU's Entry-Exit System (EES). This reprieve comes due to delays in France's development of the necessary technology to collate and process biometric information, according to port sources.
Easter Chaos Fears Eased for Cross-Channel Travel
The EU had set 10 April as the official date to demand biometric data from most non-EU citizens, including Britons, at borders. Airlines and airports across Europe had feared significant disruptions over the Easter holidays, with phased introductions already causing long delays at locations like Lisbon and Brussels airports. However, for Channel crossings, wet stamping of passports will continue for the present, as French border officials lack the required technological infrastructure.
Only lorry drivers, coach passengers, and ferry foot passengers, who have been subject to checks by French border officials since November, will undergo EES formalities. This means most leisure travellers on these routes can breathe a sigh of relief, avoiding fingerprinting and facial identification procedures that have led to hours of queues elsewhere.
Investment and Readiness Amid Delays
Despite the delays, significant investments have been made in preparation for EES. Getlink, the owner of Eurotunnel, has spent at least £60 million on kiosks at Folkestone and Coquelles in France, while Eurostar invested about £10 million in automated kiosks at London St Pancras, which remain sealed off. The Port of Dover has also reshaped its road layouts and built new structures in anticipation of the system.
A spokesperson for the Port of Dover stated they are "working closely with our French border agency partners to ensure a smooth introduction of EES for tourist passengers, which includes waiting until current issues with the French technology are resolved and thorough testing at Dover has been conducted." Eurotunnel confirmed that EES will take a further operational step on 10 April, but it will not involve biometric data collection, meaning LeShuttle customers will see no change.
Ongoing Concerns and Industry Reactions
While cross-Channel services are temporarily spared, European airlines and airports remain anxious about the scaling up of EES during the holiday period. Trade bodies A4E and ACI Europe issued a joint statement citing "persistent operational challenges" and predicting increasing delays from Easter. They have called on the European Commission to allow full suspension of EES if needed, arguing that long border queues are becoming the norm and undermining air travel.
Michael O'Leary, CEO of Ryanair, criticised the system, describing it as "a shit show and a shambles" and attributing it as a punishment for Brexit. He reported queues of up to four hours at some airports and urged the EU to postpone full introduction until October. The European Commission has advised border officials to exercise discretion to relax rules if queues build up, at least until the end of July.
Eurostar has added extra lanes at borders and is focusing on maintaining fluidity, with enrolments currently being completed manually by French border officers in London. Passengers are advised to continue arriving at the time stated on their travel tickets, as the rollout progresses amidst these technological hurdles.
