EES delays cause lengthy queues for UK holidaymakers at Dover and airports

British travellers heading to Europe this summer are likely to face queues of five to six hours as the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) remains delayed. At the Port of Dover, the activation of French‑run biometric kiosks is still pending, meaning the £40 million Western Docks facility cannot relieve congestion. Port chief Doug Bannister said the UK infrastructure is ready, but the French Police Aux Frontières must switch on the kiosks, leaving motorists warning of “mess” and “chaos” during the busy holiday period.

Airlines are also warning passengers of longer airport waits. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicts peak‑summer queues could reach six hours, prompting Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2 and Wizz Air to advise travellers to arrive up to three hours before departure and to adjust check‑in desk opening times. The World Travel and Tourism Council estimates that prolonged delays could threaten up to 41 million visitor arrivals and $45.4 billion in tourism spending.