As the peak holiday season begins, about 2.2 million British travellers are expected to head abroad, primarily to Europe. However, the new Entry-Exit System (EES) has raised concerns over long wait times and missed flights, prompting calls for intervention from UK leaders. Liberal Democrats are urging Mayor Andy Burnham to directly lobby EU leaders to suspend the EES, which they describe as ‘bungled’ and ‘malfunctioning’.
The EES is intended to streamline border checks but has faced criticism for its implementation, leading to significant delays at airports and ferry ports. With many families eager to travel during the school holidays, the pressure is mounting on the government to address these issues. The travel association Abta has warned that this weekend could see the first major impact of the EES on holidaymakers, with Spain being a top destination.
Greece has indicated it will not impose additional checks on UK nationals, but France is struggling with technology failures at its border controls. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges of post-Brexit travel arrangements and the need for effective communication between UK and EU officials.
As holidaymakers prepare for their trips, the uncertainty surrounding the EES could lead to frustration and anxiety, especially for those returning to the UK. EasyJet has called for an extension of the suspension of EES checks until the end of October to alleviate potential travel disruptions.
Source: The Guardian
