How the New Passport Rule at Airports Sparks Travel Chaos Warning in United Kingdom ?

How the New Passport Rule at Airports Sparks Travel Chaos Warning in United Kingdom ?

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Tourists planning holidays to Europe are being warned of potential travel chaos due to a new passport rule set to be implemented at airports. The new EU Entry/Exit Scheme (EES), which is scheduled to come into force this year, will make facial recognition technology mandatory alongside eGates at EU airports.

New Passport Rule and Its Implications

The EU Entry/Exit Scheme (EES) requires travelers to submit fingerprints and facial scans when entering any EU country, including popular destinations like Spain, France, Italy, and Greece. Additionally, the EU will collect data such as your name, passport ID, entry and exit points, travel dates, and logs of any refusals to provide this information from October 2024 onwards.

Anton Radchenko, CEO at flight compensation firm AirAdvisor, warns that the new passport rule could create significant “chaos” at passport control. This concern arises because the technology is prone to outages, similar to those recently experienced at Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, Manchester, and Edinburgh airport. During these outages, passengers faced massive queues and delays due to system issues.

The EU’s Perspective on the EES

The EU promotes the EES as a time-saving measure, replacing the need for passport stamping and automating border control procedures. This system aims to make travel to European countries more efficient for non-EU nationals. The EES also helps identify travelers who have overstayed their visas, used fake identities or passports, and assists in preventing, detecting, and investigating serious criminal offenses, including terrorism.

The EES applies to non-EU nationals traveling for short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Travelers will be denied entry if they refuse to provide their biometric data.

Potential Challenges with the EES Implementation

Despite the EU’s positive outlook, Anton Radchenko highlights the potential challenges: “eGates are notoriously prone to outages. For example, on May 8, passengers at major airports like Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and Edinburgh experienced huge delays due to eGates failing. A nationwide system network issue lasted for more than four hours, causing some passengers to spend more time in queues than on their flights.”

Radchenko stresses that while the new plans are designed to offer “frictionless” travel, any flaws in the rollout of the technology could lead to chaos at UK borders when systems fail. In such cases, human border staff would be needed to manually process passengers, necessitating a blend of technology and human resources.

Upgrading Infrastructure to Accommodate the EES

UK airports and railway stations currently have around 270 eGates that will need upgrades to accommodate the new technology. Passengers who miss flights due to security or immigration processing delays do not have the right to request airlines to rebook flights free of charge. However, even with non-refundable fares, passengers can attempt to get refunds or claim back airport taxes and fees, which can amount to a few hundred pounds, and pay extra for a new ticket for the next day.

Boosting the European Travel Market: UK Tourists’ Impact

UK tourists significantly boost the European travel market, making substantial contributions to the tourism economy of EU countries. Popular destinations like Spain, France, and Italy see millions of UK tourists each year, who spend on accommodations, dining, attractions, and shopping, thereby driving local economies.

The ease of travel between the UK and Europe, facilitated by a multitude of flight options, train services like the Eurostar, and ferry routes, encourages frequent trips. Many UK residents own holiday homes in Europe, further solidifying the economic ties. The cultural and historical appeal of Europe, combined with favorable exchange rates, makes it an attractive destination for UK travelers.

Despite the potential initial hiccups with the new EES, the long-term benefits of streamlined and secure travel processes are expected to maintain, if not increase, the influx of UK tourists to Europe. This sustained tourism flow is vital for the recovery and growth of the European travel industry post-pandemic.

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Prepare for travel chaos with the new EU Entry/Exit Scheme requiring fingerprints and facial scans at EU airports. Learn about the implications and benefits.

The introduction of the new passport rule at EU airports under the EES is a significant change aimed at improving security and efficiency. However, its implementation poses potential challenges that could lead to delays and chaos at airports. Travelers and authorities alike must prepare for these changes to ensure smooth transitions and continue to support the thriving travel and tourism industry.

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