Survey shows UK travellers fear EES border checks delays this summer

A significant number of British holidaymakers are concerned about missing flights this summer due to new European Union border checks, according to a recent survey. The poll, commissioned by travel company Booking.com, found that nearly three out of five UK travellers planning European trips this year anticipate delays linked to the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES).

The system requires individuals from non-EU countries, including the UK, to register fingerprints and have a photograph taken upon entry to the Schengen Area, a zone of 29 European nations. For most British travellers, this biometric process occurs at airports in Europe. Concerns have been heightened by a report from the Airports Council International, which stated the EES is already contributing to delays of up to three hours at some airports, with those in Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy among the most severely affected.

In one recent incident, more than 100 easyJet passengers missed a flight from Milan Linate to Manchester in April due to passport desk delays as the system was ramped up. The survey of 2,000 UK adults indicated that 56 percent of travellers plan to arrive at airports earlier than usual to avoid...