Travel experts say the European Union and airports across the continent are right to change plans for a major update to travel rules that will cause huge queues for British holidaymakers from November. The EU has postponed the introduction of a new biometric entry check system (EES) for non-EU nationals, which was scheduled to be introduced on November 10.
Ports and stations across the UK have set up huge new waiting and processing areas to deal with expected long queues, and easyJet has announced that new inspections will be carried out once the rules apply to FRPCE. He said passengers could be detained on the plane as long lines formed to get through.
Currently, Germany, France and the Netherlands have announced that their border computer systems are not yet ready. “November 10 is no longer on the agenda,” EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson told reporters.
The EES system means that when you enter Europe from the UK you will be fingerprinted and photographed and may have to answer questions about your stay. The French Interior Ministry said it believed in the effectiveness of the EES, but that its implementation needed to be carefully planned. The UK government and travel companies have issued stark warnings about the potential for airport disruption and long delays due to the new system.
In September, it was revealed that more than one in five Brits (22%) would be deterred from holidaying in Europe because of the EU’s new border system. Almost half of those surveyed were uncomfortable with the idea of their biometric data being stored for three years, and 38% were concerned about long delays.
The EES was originally scheduled to launch on October 6, but was postponed to November 10 after pressure from French authorities.
Seamus McAuley, head of communications at Holiday Extras, said: “Holidays should be hassle-free and forcing EES before the technology is ready will ruin many European holidays this winter. It’s clear that it will happen,” he said. Airports in France, Germany and the Netherlands were right to call for a pause on the project, and the EU was right to back out and agree to postpone it until the technology is in place.
“The question that remains is that the EU’s plans are currently delayed and the UK’s reciprocal ETA scheme, if implemented in April, will not only deter many potential visitors from coming here, but also This puts UK airports at a disadvantage as a hub.Hopefully the UK Government recognizes that the EES delays are creating a new imbalance between the EU’s access plans and our own, and responds accordingly. I hope you will delay your plans.”
