As a new survey reveals that 59 per cent of UK holidaymakers travelling to Europe this year anticipate delays due to the EU's entry-exit system (EES), families planning May half term getaways are being urged to make three essential checks before departing.
Three Key Reminders for Travellers
Travel company Booking.com advises families heading to Europe to verify that their passports are valid for their travel dates, and to keep items such as portable phone chargers and necessary medication in hand luggage to mitigate longer delays. Nearly half of survey respondents expressed fear of missing flights because of the new border checks.
Understanding EES
EES requires travellers from third-party countries, including the UK, to register their fingerprints and have their photograph taken when entering the Schengen Area, which comprises 29 European countries, mostly within the EU. For most UK travellers, this process occurs at foreign airports.
According to the Airports Council International, EES has caused delays of up to three hours, with airports in Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy being among the worst affected. Last month, over 100 easyJet passengers missed a flight from Milan Linate to Manchester due to delays at passport desks caused by the ramp-up of EES.
Survey Findings
The survey indicates that 56 per cent of UK travellers plan to arrive at airports earlier than usual to avoid disruption, with 12 per cent intending to arrive at least four hours before departure. More than half (52 per cent) of respondents who have travelled to the EU since EES was introduced experienced delays, while 43 per cent reported no delays.
Ryan Pearson, regional manager for the UK and Ireland at Booking.com, said: "May half-term is a key moment in the travel calendar, and we know many people are feeling anxious about how the new entry-exit system could impact their trip. We want to help travellers feel informed and prepared before they leave, whether that's checking travel documents in advance or packing the right essentials in hand luggage in case of longer queues."
Preparation is Key
Pearson added: "Changes to the way we travel can understandably feel daunting, but we're already seeing that many journeys are running smoothly. The key is preparation."
Greece Sees Surge in Bookings
The Advantage Travel Partnership reported earlier this month that demand for holidays in Greece has surged since the country announced on April 17 that it will not impose EES requirements on UK travellers this summer. Greece's market share of UK holiday bookings rose from 7.7 per cent in mid-April to 9.98 per cent by the end of the month.
EES was first introduced in October last year, with its rollout accelerated on April 10. EU rules currently allow the checks to be temporarily halted to avoid queues during peak periods.
The Booking.com survey of 2,000 UK adults was conducted by research company Opinium between May 8-12.
