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Spain-bound Brits warned to arrive early after new EU border system causes travel chaos
More than 100 easyJet passengers missed a flight home to the UK from Milan at the weekend after getting stuck in biometric queues
Scenes of utter chaos unfolded at Milan's Linate airport over the weekend, where more than 100 passengers missed an easyJet flight to Manchester after getting stuck in passport control queues. The culprit was the EU's new Entry/Exit System, known as EES, which officially launched across all 29 Schengen countries on Friday April 10, and immediately lived up to the worst fears of travel industry experts.
The system replaces the old manual passport stamp with a digital record of every entry, exit and refusal of entry into the Schengen area. On top of that, it collects biometric data, meaning your fingerprints and a facial image, from all non-EU travellers making short stays of up to 90 days.
For British passport holders travelling to and from Spain, that means you.
Friday's official launch was described by airport and airline industry bodies as being "marked by passenger disruptions, delays and missed flights," and the Milan incident the following Sunday only reinforced the message. EasyJet called the queues "unacceptable."
The 122 passengers who missed their flight home were left to sort out and pay for alternative arrangements entirely at their own expense. Airlines have made clear that getting to the gate on time is the passenger's responsibility, and travel insurance policies won't cover delays caused by border queues.
So what can you actually do to avoid the same fate on your trip to or from Spain this summer?
Luke Fitzpatrick, from independent travel agency Perfect Getaways, has been giving practical advice to worried travellers and his message is straightforward.
"It's about being as prepared as you can be," he explained.
"There is a lot of uncertainty at the moment as people are getting used to the new system."
His top recommendation is to arrive at the airport at least three hours before your flight, and possibly more if you're travelling as a group or with children, since each person has to complete the biometric checks individually.
If you're on a package holiday with a shared transfer back to the airport, Fitzpatrick advises checking your transfer and taxi times in advance so you can pick the quickest option and build in extra time.
"Have your passport and all documents ready to hand over at the desk," he added, and if you have limited mobility, he suggested considering requesting assistance even if you wouldn't normally, as long queues can be difficult to manage on your feet.
On your first trip under the new system in particular, expect things to take longer than you're used to. That's not pessimism, it's just the reality of a brand new process that airport staff and travellers alike are still getting to grips with.
Fitzpatrick also stressed the importance of checking your travel insurance before you go.
"It is such a vital part of your holiday and cover for if things go wrong," he said, urging travellers to go through their policies carefully and understand exactly what is and isn't covered.
The UK government's own guidance acknowledges that checks "may take slightly longer than previously," which feels like something of an understatement given what happened in Milan.
On your first visit to the Schengen area under EES you may be asked to create a digital record at the airport on arrival, submit your fingerprints and have your photo taken at dedicated booths, and provide a fingerprint or photo again when you leave.
It's a new reality for anyone travelling between the UK and Spain, and the best thing you can do right now is factor it into your planning before you get to the airport rather than after.
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