British holidaymakers will be fast-tracked through airports this summer at one particular European hotspot.
Those travelling to Greece will continue to face fewer checks amid ongoing disruption linked to the EU’s new Entry Exit System (EES).
The system, introduced across the Schengen zone, requires non-EU travellers – including Brits – to register biometric information when entering participating countries.
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This includes fingerprint scans and facial recognition checks at border control.
But the rollout has reportedly caused long queues and delays at several European airports, with some passengers complaining of repeated biometric scans and lengthy waits, as reported by What’s The Jam.
Greece has since eased some of the checks for British travellers in a move aimed at speeding up arrivals and reducing disruption during the busy summer season.
Under EU rules, countries are allowed to temporarily suspend biometric checks at border crossings if severe congestion builds up.
It’s expected to reduce waiting times significantly.
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Travel industry experts have warned the wider EES rollout has faced technical issues and inconsistent systems across Europe.
One concern is the lack of a fully adopted Europe-wide app allowing travellers to upload passport details and biometric data before arriving at airports.
Only a small number of countries are currently using systems that allow parts of the process to be completed digitally in advance.
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The EU says the Entry Exit System is designed to strengthen border security and streamline travel procedures for non-EU nationals entering the Schengen area.
Greece, which remains one of the most popular destinations for British holidaymakers, is understood to be keen to avoid airport disruption affecting tourists during the peak travel season.
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