Travel column with Katie Butler of Total Travel: Border changes ahead and storm disruption across the Atlantic
I have written about this many times before, but it is worth repeating because the changes are now much closer. The UK Foreign Office has issued fresh advice for all countries within the Schengen Zone ahead of the full introduction of the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System, known as EES.
The Schengen area covers most EU countries along with a few non-EU members, allowing passport-free travel between them.
For UK travellers heading to Spain, France, Italy, Greece and many other popular holiday spots, the way you pass through border control is set to change. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has confirmed that EES checks are being introduced in phases at external borders, with full operation expected from April 10.
The new system will replace the current manual passport stamping process for short stays. In simple terms, when you travel into the Schengen area for a short stay, you may need to register biometric details such as fingerprints and a photograph. There is no need to do anything in advance and there is no fee to pay for registration.
On your first visit after the system is in place, you might be directed to a special booth before going to the immigration desk. Border staff will guide you through the process. When leaving the Schengen area, you may also be asked to provide a fingerprint or photo. Children aged 11 and under will not have fingerprints taken, although a photo may still be required.
Passengers should be prepared for slightly longer waits at border control, particularly during the early stages of the rollout. Until the system is fully operational everywhere, passports will continue to be stamped even if you have already registered. Once EES is fully live, it will replace stamping altogether, and you will provide biometric details each time you enter or exit. The good news is that a digital EES record will be valid for three years, so repeat visitors within that period should only need to provide a fingerprint or photo rather than completing the full process again.
While Europe prepares for new border technology, the United States has been dealing with severe winter disruption, as have we. A powerful snowstorm hit the north-east coast, causing thousands of flight cancellations and changes to cruise itineraries. States including New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey declared states of emergency as Winter Storm Hernando brought heavy snow, strong winds and coastal flooding. New York City was placed under its first blizzard warning in nine years, with travel restrictions in place during the worst of the conditions.
Major airports including JFK, Newark and Boston have seen significant cancellations. Virgin Atlantic cancelled a number of services from Heathrow and Manchester, while British Airways and American Airlines also suspended several flights to destinations including New York, Boston and Philadelphia. Delta has warned of ongoing disruption as the storm system moves through the region. We have been assisting our customers with flight cancellations and delays.
Despite the headlines, bookings remain strong. May continues to be the top-selling departure month, accounting for 12 per cent of recent bookings, followed by April with ten per cent and June with nine per cent. Late bookings make up 29 per cent of the total, showing that many of you are still happy to secure a getaway closer to departure.
Last week Turkey took the lead as the top-selling destination based on new bookings followed by Tenerife and Majorca. It is clear that while new border systems and winter storms may cause short-term disruption, the appetite for travel remains as strong as ever.