Key facts
- The port of Dover is bracing for significant traffic delays as new EU border controls, the Entry-Exit System (EES), are implemented.
- The EES technology at Dover is experiencing software problems, requiring French border police to manually register non-EU travelers.
- Approximately 7,500 cars are expected at Dover on Friday and 10,000 on Saturday.
- Eurotunnel also faces delays as its automated processing kiosks for EES are not yet operational.
- Major traffic congestion is anticipated on the M25 motorway around London.
- Ryanair has warned UK passengers to expect potential queues at several popular EU airports due to EES.
The start of the peak summer travel season is expected to cause significant disruption at the port of Dover due to the implementation of new EU border controls, the Entry-Exit System (EES). Concerns are mounting over potential traffic chaos as the port faces its biggest test with the new system, which is experiencing software problems.
French border police at Dover will be manually registering non-EU travelers for EES, a process that requires photographing and fingerprinting. Although the full biometric registration cannot be completed, the additional time needed to create a file for each visitor is expected to lead to long queues. The port anticipates around 7,500 cars traveling to France on Friday and 10,000 on Saturday. Holidaymakers are advised to use main roads and arrive no more than two hours before their booked sailing.
Eurotunnel, which operates the LeShuttle service through the Channel tunnel, stated it does not anticipate delays, as it will also not be registering biometric information for EES this summer. Like Dover, Eurotunnel has invested millions in automated processing kiosks that are currently not operational.
Elsewhere in the UK, motoring organisations predict significant traffic congestion, particularly on the M25 around Greater London. Over 14 million drivers are expected to embark on leisure trips this weekend, marking the busiest domestic getaway since 2022. The RAC also warned of a potential spike in breakdowns due to recent heatwaves and urged drivers to be prepared for delays in hot weather.
London Heathrow Airport anticipates its busiest summer weekend, with Friday expected to be the peak day for departures. Ryanair has cautioned UK passengers about potential long queues at popular EU holiday airports, identifying Lisbon, Tenerife South, Alicante, Malaga, and Milan Bergamo as likely 'hotspots' for EES-related delays.