Channel crossing chaos averted? france's tech delay saves easter travel
Just when European airlines and airports braced for a wave of Easter Travel headaches due to the EU’s new border system, a crucial piece of the puzzle has fallen into place – or rather, hasn't. Passengers crossing the Channel from the UK to France on Eurotunnel’s Le Shuttle, ferries, and Eurostar will, for now, sidestep the biometric checks slated to begin this week, thanks to a significant technological shortfall on the French side.
The ees rollout: a phased disaster?
The EU’s Entry-Exit System (EES), years in the making, was supposed to launch fully on April 10th, requiring biometric data—fingerprints and facial scans—from most non-EU citizens, including Britons. While a phased rollout has already caused significant delays at airports like Lisbon and Brussels, the situation at the Channel crossings promised to be particularly fraught. Airlines and airports sounded the alarm, fearing widespread disruption during a peak Travel period. Getlink, the company owning Eurotunnel, sunk a staggering £60 million into kiosks at Folkestone and Coquelles, anticipating the EES launch last autumn. Eurostar also invested around £10 million at London St Pancras, with automated kiosks now sitting dormant.
But the reality is far from the planned efficiency. Sources at the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel confirm that France has yet to deliver the necessary technology to process the biometric information. Instead, the familiar practice of ‘wet-stamping’ passports will continue at the French border, a decidedly low-tech solution in the face of a high-tech mandate. The only travelers facing EES formalities are lorry drivers, coach passengers, and ferry foot passengers – a group already subject to French border checks since November.
A shambles brewing? ryanair's harsh assessment
While the immediate crisis at the Channel crossings is averted, the broader picture remains deeply concerning. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has already described the EES rollout as “a shit show and a shambles,” citing queues of up to four hours at some airports. The airline boss has even suggested postponing the full implementation until October, a move that would undoubtedly alleviate pressure on already strained Travel infrastructure.
Trade bodies representing airlines and airports, A4E and ACI Europe, echo O’Leary’s concerns, highlighting “persistent operational challenges” and predicting increasing delays throughout the Easter holidays. They’re urging the European Commission to maintain the flexibility to suspend EES if needed, arguing that long queues are actively damaging air Travel.
The Home Office, anticipating issues, advised UK travelers to allow extra time for checks, a recommendation that now seems somewhat premature for those crossing the Channel via train, Shuttle, or ferry. The EU’s official websites, however, still insist that biometric data will be required for entry into the Schengen area after April 10th, a disconnect that underscores the chaotic nature of this rollout.
The Port of Dover, having reshaped its road layouts and built new structures in preparation for EES, remains cautiously optimistic. A spokesperson stated they are