ABTA urges greater use of contingency measures by EU border officials as EES rollout expands
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dhewitt@abta.co.uk Fri, 01/09/2026 - 15:01
From today, Friday 9 January, the EU Entry Exit System (EES), which launched in October 2025, will be increasing the number of airports and ports that have the new system in operation, as well as the number of passengers going through the system.
ABTA says that passengers’ experience of the EES rollout so far has been varied, from relatively smooth to incidents where large queues have formed at passport control. The Association says there is a risk that more people will experience queues as the system is rolled out to more places over the next few months and is urging border authorities to apply the contingency measures available to them.
Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA – The Travel Association said:
“The EES is a change to how we travel to and from Europe, and while eventually it will make passport checks quicker, initially it may take longer.
“As more places introduce the system, and more passengers are processed through it, there is a greater risk that people will face queues and delays. It’s important travellers are prepared for this as they prepare to go through passport control.
“We are also urging border authorities to do all they can to minimise delays. They have contingency measures at their disposal – such as standing down the system or limiting checks – and we want them to be utilised to help manage the flow of people. Where problems have been experienced so far, some of these could have been avoided if the contingency measures were applied.”
Arrival: If you are arriving into the EU, you will do the EES checks on arrival, and it may mean going through passport control may take a longer. There will be advice on what you need to do on arrival at the airport or port.
Departure: If you are departing the EU, we’re advising passengers to go straight to passport control as soon as they have gone through check-in and security, that way you get the EES checks out of the way as early as possible.
We’re also advising passengers to follow their transport providers’ advice on when to arrive at airports/ports etc. The usual rule is to arrive at the airport for a flight to Europe at least two hours before, so we’d encourage people to apply that as a minimum, but to also check with their transport provider.
Juxtaposed borders: If you are travelling through a juxtaposed border - St Pancras, Folkestone or Dover - you will do the checks before your leave the UK and should follow the advice of your travel provider.
ABTA has advice for customers about EES which is available at www.abta.com/eesandetias
Notes to editors
ABTA is a trade association for UK travel agents, tour operators and the wider travel industry. We’re the largest travel trade body, with over 4,300 travel brands in membership who have a combined annual UK turnover of over £40 billion. We work closely with our members to help raise and maintain standards and build a more sustainable travel industry, and provide travellers with advice, guidance and support.
Our members sign up to a code of conduct and commit to agreed service standards and fair trading. When you need clear travel information, and accurate and impartial advice relating to your trip, we’re here for you. When you book with an ABTA member, reliable advice comes as standard. This means that booking with our members brings peace of mind.
All this together means we help you travel with confidence. www.abta.com
Continue reading...
Full Page image
dhewitt@abta.co.uk Fri, 01/09/2026 - 15:01
From today, Friday 9 January, the EU Entry Exit System (EES), which launched in October 2025, will be increasing the number of airports and ports that have the new system in operation, as well as the number of passengers going through the system.
ABTA says that passengers’ experience of the EES rollout so far has been varied, from relatively smooth to incidents where large queues have formed at passport control. The Association says there is a risk that more people will experience queues as the system is rolled out to more places over the next few months and is urging border authorities to apply the contingency measures available to them.
Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA – The Travel Association said:
“The EES is a change to how we travel to and from Europe, and while eventually it will make passport checks quicker, initially it may take longer.
“As more places introduce the system, and more passengers are processed through it, there is a greater risk that people will face queues and delays. It’s important travellers are prepared for this as they prepare to go through passport control.
“We are also urging border authorities to do all they can to minimise delays. They have contingency measures at their disposal – such as standing down the system or limiting checks – and we want them to be utilised to help manage the flow of people. Where problems have been experienced so far, some of these could have been avoided if the contingency measures were applied.”
Advice if you are arriving into or departing from the EU
Arrival: If you are arriving into the EU, you will do the EES checks on arrival, and it may mean going through passport control may take a longer. There will be advice on what you need to do on arrival at the airport or port.
Departure: If you are departing the EU, we’re advising passengers to go straight to passport control as soon as they have gone through check-in and security, that way you get the EES checks out of the way as early as possible.
We’re also advising passengers to follow their transport providers’ advice on when to arrive at airports/ports etc. The usual rule is to arrive at the airport for a flight to Europe at least two hours before, so we’d encourage people to apply that as a minimum, but to also check with their transport provider.
Juxtaposed borders: If you are travelling through a juxtaposed border - St Pancras, Folkestone or Dover - you will do the checks before your leave the UK and should follow the advice of your travel provider.
ABTA has advice for customers about EES which is available at www.abta.com/eesandetias
Notes to editors
ABTA is a trade association for UK travel agents, tour operators and the wider travel industry. We’re the largest travel trade body, with over 4,300 travel brands in membership who have a combined annual UK turnover of over £40 billion. We work closely with our members to help raise and maintain standards and build a more sustainable travel industry, and provide travellers with advice, guidance and support.
Our members sign up to a code of conduct and commit to agreed service standards and fair trading. When you need clear travel information, and accurate and impartial advice relating to your trip, we’re here for you. When you book with an ABTA member, reliable advice comes as standard. This means that booking with our members brings peace of mind.
All this together means we help you travel with confidence. www.abta.com
Continue reading...
