E-gates at airports across the UK have returned to normal following a mass outage which caused disruption and huge queues for thousands of passengers.
02.05.2024 - 11:03 / euronews.com / Saskia ODonoghue
Almost two thirds of UK adults are unaware of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) which is scheduled to launch later this year.
That staggering statistic comes from findings by Co-op Insurance. The research has also found that more than one in five UK adults admit they would be ‘put off’ travelling to Europe as a result of the new system.
EES will require fingerprints and facial scans to be taken from UK travellers heading to EU countries.
It’s set to begin in October, just six months away, and 66 per cent of people have no idea about its implementation, while 22 per cent will likely refuse to travel to the continent entirely.
The new system will see what is effectively the introduction of a ‘digital border’ between both EU/Schengen Area countries and those outside.
It’s being brought in to replace the current practice of the Border Force manually stamping passports.
Instead, passengers will have to agree to fingerprint and facial image capture the first time they arrive on the continent following the launch of EES.
After that one off process, holidaymakers will find that subsequent trips will involve quicker processing, with data captured remaining in the system for three years.
When that period comes to an end, data will be erased from the system. Each new visit to mainland Europe will come with the facial and fingerprint image capturing and trigger another three years of validity, until the expiry date of an individual’s passport.
It’s the image capturing that seems to be putting people off the process.
The Co-op found that just under half (46 per cent) said they didn’t like the idea of their details being captured and remaining in the system for up to three years.
Almost two fifths (38 per cent) said the potential for ‘long delays at border control’ would make them think twice before heading on a trip.
The head of Travel at Co-op Insurance, Graham Ward-Lush, says all travellers must be aware of the changes, regardless of their feelings about the situation.
“Going on holiday is a great way for people to take a break and unwind. However, as our research shows, there can be an added stress that comes with travelling to your destination, as travellers navigate the fast pace that comes with being in an airport and following the various processes in place,” he wrote in a press release.
“From our data, we can see that 2024 is already shaping up to be a big year for travel and so we want to make sure holidaymakers are well prepared so that they can ensure their trips are stress free,” he added.
The confusion surrounding the much delayed EES is not an isolated incident.
This week, it’s been revealed that a new app designed to alleviate disruption for British travellers going across the Channel will not be ready in time
E-gates at airports across the UK have returned to normal following a mass outage which caused disruption and huge queues for thousands of passengers.
As the local saying goes, Fiji is a place “where happiness comes naturally.” Travel buyers and journalists at this past week’s annual Fiji Tourism Exchange event learned details of how much happiness has been coming here in the past year. Visitor numbers for 2024 are already up 11% compared to 2023, and the nearly one million visitors last year reached a new record for the island nation, representing nearly $1.5 billion U.S. Dollars in revenue to the country.
The newest cruise ship in the MSC Cruises fleet sails Northern Europe itineraries for much of the year. There’s lots to see and do between port calls, so Euribia is a great choice for families, young couples, or groups of friends who don't mind a lively, pan-European onboard atmosphere.
It’s been a dazzling spectacle of the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, since Friday, May 11, across the night sky of the U.S., Canada and Europe, high-energy particles from the sun interacting with the earth's magnetic field to cause dazzling and mesmerizing geomagnetic storms.
The UK government is preparing for chaos ahead of the launch of the EU’s Entry-Exit system (EES).
Europe was close to reaching its pre-pandemic tourism levels last year, but some countries started to go above and beyond in early 2024, according to a recent report from the European Travel Commission.
Europe’s legendary libraries rank among some of the world’s most famous buildings.
As we get ever closer to jetting off on summer holidays, it’s sadly important to remember that not everyone you meet on your travels will be well-intentioned.
The EU has just made it easier for Indian nationals to travel to Europe.
Nothing can ruin a vacation like being the victim of a pickpocketing scam. Throughout Europe specifically, a new study shows that there are some destinations where theft is more prevalent than others.
Reliable information regarding hotel accessibility can be murky at best, and the broader hotel industry often comes up short in making this travel experience as easy as possible. Hyatt leaders are showing the company is taking this seriously in a new initiative highlighting the needs of neurodivergent travelers and what needs to be done to improve the travel experience from booking to checking out.
Since its release in 2016, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® has been a major player in the world of travel rewards credit cards. When the card launched, it offered new cardholders a welcome bonus of 100,000 points, an offer never seen again.