The European Union's new Entry/Exit System (EES), which has already caused lengthy delays at major airports, may not fully stabilise for up to two years, according to a senior EU border official. Uku Särekanno, a director of the EU border agency Frontex, told a travel industry event that some member states are struggling to implement the system, which requires non-EU passengers to provide personal information and biometric data at the border.
Särekanno stated: 'We expect that the situation will stabilise in one or two years.' He noted that the most challenging aspect is the initial enrolment, where fingerprints and facial images are taken, but subsequent visits would be faster. The EES was introduced last October and fully rolled out on 10 April, with provisions allowing temporary suspension of checks to manage queues, though this flexibility is expected to end in September.
Concerns are mounting that the checks could lead to travel chaos this summer, with consumers nervous about delays and bookings. In May, French police temporarily suspended extra checks at the Port of Dover, and Greece announced it would suspend biometric checks for British travellers until September to avoid disruption. Mark Tanzer, chief executive of the UK travel association Abta, warned that the system could dampen demand for EU holidays, urging destinations to use contingency measures where queues are excessive.
Beyond the EES, travel demand has been affected by the conflict in the Middle East and rising living costs. Tanzer noted that early-season bookings are being hit by apprehension and the cost of living. Shaun Morton, chief executive of holiday operator On the Beach, said consumers are booking later, creating uncertainty, though he expects the summer market to grow overall. Shares in On the Beach have fallen 30% this year after the group warned of later bookings.
