Britain's Transport Minister, Heidi Alexander, has sounded a warning over EU border checks, citing potential chaos as thousands of holidaymakers face long queues at European airports this summer. The minister's intervention follows months of delays since the Entry/Exit System (EES) went live in April, with passengers reporting missed flights and airlines warning of impending "queue mayhem".
The EES requires non-EU travellers to provide biometric data - including fingerprints and facial scans - alongside passport registration when entering the 29 Schengen countries for the first time. While designed to boost EU border security, its implementation has led to significant hold-ups, prompting Minister Alexander to push for greater French presence at border checks to mitigate potential bottlenecks.
Following talks with European Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Minister Alexander and her counterpart have pledged to work together to ensure cross-border travel remains "seamless as possible" over the summer holiday season. This commitment reflects a shared recognition of the challenges posed by the new system and the need for smooth passage for millions of travellers.
The UK government has also announced £20 million in funding to boost passport check booths at the Port of Dover, Britain's primary gateway to Europe. The investment aims to bolster capacity ahead of peak summer travel, particularly as a significant proportion of EES checks will take place on British soil before travellers enter the EU.
Despite this, concerns persist, with Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale warning of potential dangers to vulnerable passengers - including the elderly and those with pets - from prolonged delays without adequate facilities. He has urged that the system be put "on ice" until its technology is fully optimised for efficient operation.