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Dover warns of delays as half-term travel rush begins
The Port of Dover has urged ferry passengers to prepare for extended wait times as families embark on half-term holidays, marking the first major travel period under the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES). Border queues of up to 90 minutes were reported Friday morning.
New EU border rules slow processing
The EES, fully implemented on April 10, requires digital registration of travelers' biometric data-including fingerprints and facial images-upon entering the Schengen Zone. While French authorities at Dover have yet to activate the fingerprint and photo scanners, border officials are manually creating digital profiles for each passenger, adding time to checks.
Dover, where travelers clear French border controls before boarding ferries, expects the system to lengthen processing times even without full biometric capture. Passengers who miss their scheduled sailing due to delays will be rebooked on the next available departure.
Weekend travel surge expected
Approximately 18,000 vehicles are forecast to pass through Dover between Friday and Sunday, with Saturday projected as the busiest day. A record 400 coaches are also expected on Friday. To prevent gridlock on local roads, the Lydden Hill racing circuit will serve as an overflow parking area if queues escalate.
Border authorities retain the option to suspend EES temporarily if severe delays occur.
Other UK crossings face similar challenges
At Eurotunnel's Folkestone terminal, French officials have likewise delayed activating biometric scanners for car passengers, though digital profiles are still being created. Unlike Dover, Eurotunnel has not issued delay warnings.
Lorry drivers have been subject to biometric checks for some time. At London St Pancras, Eurostar passengers have experienced partial EES processing, with some travelers using automated machines while others undergo manual checks.
Air travel also hit by border delays
Airports across Europe have reported lengthy queues under the new system. In April, around 100 passengers on a Manchester-bound flight were left stranded in Milan after missing their departure due to border processing backlogs.
"The problems caused by EES are unacceptable," said EasyJet CEO Kenton Jarvis, noting some improvement in recent weeks. He urged EU countries to revert to manual passport stamping if necessary to ease congestion.
EasyJet
Greece has announced British travelers will be exempt from biometric checks this summer, aiming to avoid similar disruptions.
Holiday demand remains strong despite concerns
Travel association Abta reported robust demand for Mediterranean destinations, particularly Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Greece, with Majorca, Alicante, and Tenerife topping the list for beach holidays. Travelers are prioritizing value and reliability amid economic uncertainty.
A separate trend of late bookings has emerged, driven by concerns over potential jet fuel shortages linked to the Middle East conflict. Meanwhile, the RAC predicts nearly 19 million car journeys over the bank holiday weekend, marking the busiest UK road traffic in two years.
