Warning for holiday makers in the East Midlands about long airport queues
Passengers are being urged to allow extra time
Holidaymakers travelling from East Midlands Airport are being urged to prepare for longer delays when travelling to Europe.
Experts are warning there could be waits of up to four hours.
What is causing delays?
The EU's new Entry/Exit System comes into force this Friday (10th April).
Passport stamping is being replaced with a biometric database, which involves a passenger's facial image, fingerprints and passport data being recorded.
Passenger numbers can increase by 40% over the summer holidays, and experts are concerned how prepared airports will be.
'Stress test'
Tourism advisor Anita Mendiratta says: "About 30 million trips are made by UK residents to EU countries each year, and every one of those travellers will now be processed through this new system.
"That includes a significant number departing from regional airports like East Midlands Airport, which serves a wide catchment across the region.
“The challenge is timing. While this is designed to improve efficiency in the long term, in the short term it is likely to slow things down. This summer risks becoming a real-time stress test during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
'Queues can build quickly'
“This is not a minor adjustment – it is a fundamental shift in how borders operate. Travellers will now be registered using fingerprints, facial recognition and passport data.
"That initial registration takes time, and when multiplied across thousands of passengers moving through airports at peak times, queues can build quickly.
“Early trials suggest first-time processing could take 50–70% longer for non-EU passengers. While much of the focus has been on major hubs and Channel crossings, regional airports will also feel the impact, particularly during busy holiday departures.
'Allow extra time'
“It’s important to note that similar systems already operate in countries like the US, Canada and Australia.
"However, the scale of implementation across Europe – combined with the volume of UK travellers – makes this especially challenging.
"Travellers should expect disruption, allow extra time, and be prepared for longer-than-usual waits.”