Andy Burnham urged to lobby EU leaders directly to suspend the new entry-exit system, EES, as the peak weekend for overseas holidays begins.

With all UK schools now on their summer break, a staggering 2.2 million British holidaymakers are poised to embark on overseas journeys between Friday and Monday, with the vast majority heading to popular European destinations. This mass exodus coincides with mounting concerns over the full implementation of the EU’s new Entry-Exit System (EES), a biometric border control mechanism that has already caused significant delays and frustration for non-EU travellers. Amidst fears of widespread disruption, Liberal Democrats’ foreign affairs spokesperson, Calum Miller, has called for an urgent intervention, urging Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to directly appeal to EU leaders for a temporary suspension of the EES until at least September.

Speaking emphatically at Heathrow airport on Friday morning, Miller lambasted the EES as a "bungled, malfunctioning border system" that threatens to derail the summer plans of millions. His demand highlights the growing anxiety among the British public and the travel industry, which is bracing for what could be one of the most challenging summer travel seasons in recent memory. Miller’s focus on Andy Burnham, a prominent Labour figure and former cabinet minister, underscores the political dimension of the issue, suggesting that a direct, high-level approach is needed to cut through the bureaucratic complexities. He argued that the Prime Minister, too, must exert pressure on EU states to drop the system temporarily, framing the crisis as a direct consequence of a "disastrous Brexit deal" that is "putting millions of Britons at risk of having their holidays ruined."

The EES, an ambitious digital border system designed to register the entry and exit of non-EU citizens into the Schengen area, requires individuals to provide biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images, upon their first entry. This information is then stored in a central database for three years, aimed at enhancing security, combating illegal immigration, and tracking overstayers. While technically in full force since April, following an initial soft launch last year, its implementation has been plagued by technical glitches and operational inconsistencies. Border police in several EU countries have been granted a degree of flexibility, allowing them to relax requirements during periods of extreme delays to prevent complete gridlock, a tacit admission of the system’s current limitations. However, this ad-hoc approach has led to an unpredictable experience for travellers, with some still reporting missed flights and enduring queues stretching for several hours.

The timing of this peak travel weekend could not be more critical. The summer holidays represent a significant economic boon for both the UK and European tourism sectors, with millions of families planning their annual escapes. According to industry projections, popular destinations like Spain, Greece, Portugal, Italy, and Turkey are expected to receive the largest influx of British tourists. Mark Tanzer, chief executive of the travel association Abta, acknowledged the unprecedented nature of the situation. "For many heading overseas, this will be the first experience of EES, and for some, though not all, it may take longer than usual to get through passport control," he cautioned, advising passengers to allocate "plenty of time for their journeys." This advisory, while pragmatic, hints at the inherent uncertainty and potential for disruption that travellers face.

The operational challenges of the EES have been exacerbated by a disparate approach to its implementation across EU member states. Greece, heavily reliant on British tourism, has already signalled its intention to largely forego the additional biometric checks for UK nationals, who constitute the vast majority of its non-EU tourist arrivals. This pragmatic decision, driven by economic necessity, highlights the tension between stricter border controls and the imperative to maintain a thriving tourism industry. Similarly, France, a critical transit point for cross-Channel travellers, has encountered significant technological hurdles. Problems with the automated biometric booths mean they are not fully operational, and crucially, French border police have decided not to fingerprint or photograph car travellers at ferry ports or the Eurotunnel terminal. These exceptions, while easing immediate pressure, raise questions about the system’s overall integrity and consistency.

The UK government, while acknowledging that the EES checks are "a matter for the EU," has been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to mitigate the impact on British travellers. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has held discussions with EU commissioners and her French counterpart, most recently last week, to convey concerns and seek reassurances. A government spokesperson affirmed the UK’s commitment to "doing everything we can to get people away on their summer holidays with as little hassle as possible." This includes allocating financial resources for EES facilities and traffic management at the port of Dover, a critical gateway for cross-Channel traffic.

Dover, with its juxtaposed controls where French border posts are situated on UK soil, has been a particular focal point of anxiety. The unique arrangement, a legacy of the Treaty of Le Touquet, means that French border checks are conducted before travellers even leave the UK, prompting long-standing concerns about potential tailbacks extending deep into Kent during peak periods. The port had braced for its busiest days of the summer on Friday and Saturday, expecting over 10,000 cars in addition to the usual haulage traffic. However, initial reports indicated a smoother passage than feared, with queueing times generally not exceeding 40 minutes, and in some instances, as little as 10 minutes. This relative calm, however, is largely attributed to the French decision to relax biometric requirements for car travellers, a policy that may not be sustainable or universally applied in other contexts.

The biggest anxiety, according to industry insiders, remains with return flights from Europe for UK citizens. While inbound checks into the EU have received much of the initial attention, the EES also records exit data, and any issues with processing these biometrics on the return leg could lead to significant delays at European airports. EasyJet, a major airline operating numerous routes between the UK and Europe, publicly urged the EU on Thursday to extend the flexibility to suspend the EES until the end of October. This plea underscores the airline industry’s apprehension about sustained disruption and the potential for a prolonged period of operational instability if the system is not refined or temporarily halted.

The introduction of the EES serves as a stark reminder of the altered travel landscape for British citizens post-Brexit. Prior to the UK’s departure from the European Union, British nationals enjoyed seamless travel within the Schengen area, treated similarly to EU citizens. Now, as third-country nationals, they are subject to new layers of scrutiny and control, epitomized by the EES. Calum Miller’s strong rhetoric, linking the EES chaos directly to a "disastrous Brexit deal," resonates with those who feel that the promises of frictionless trade and travel have not materialised. The system, while a legitimate EU initiative to strengthen its external borders, has become a potent symbol of the new barriers facing British citizens.

Looking ahead, the debate surrounding the EES is far from over. If the system is not temporarily suspended or its implementation harmonised and streamlined, the potential for continued disruption throughout the summer and beyond remains high. The fragmented application of the rules across different member states and modes of transport creates confusion and inequity for travellers. The long-term solution will undoubtedly require significant technological upgrades, enhanced infrastructure at border crossings, and a more consistent approach from EU member states. Until then, the onus remains on both UK and EU authorities to find pragmatic solutions to ensure that the fundamental right to travel for millions of holidaymakers is not unduly compromised by a system still struggling to find its footing. The calls for direct lobbying and temporary suspensions reflect a recognition that, for now, the EES represents a significant challenge to the smooth flow of people between the UK and its closest neighbours.