Eurostar has announced delays in the development of an EU entry system app meant to ease border procedures for UK travellers.
- The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) mandates fingerprint and photo registration for non-EU citizens from October.
- The proposed app was designed to streamline this process but won’t be ready in time.
- Eurostar is preparing for lengthy checks at stations due to the app’s delay.
- Additional kiosks and staff are being deployed to manage customer flow as the changes take effect.
The much-anticipated app designed to facilitate smoother crossings for British travellers into the European Union has encountered delays, Eurostar has confirmed. The system, as explained by Eurostar’s chief Gwendoline Cazenave, was intended to allow travellers to register their biometric data remotely, thus mitigating potential congestion at border points.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) will soon require all non-EU citizens to provide fingerprints and photographs as part of new entry regulations, a move replacing traditional passport stamping. The anticipated app would have eased this transition, preventing the formation of long queues, especially at high-volume locations such as the Port of Dover and Eurostar terminals.
With the absence of this technological solution, Eurostar has taken proactive measures to cope with the expected increase in processing times. Installation of over 49 kiosks is underway at Eurostar’s London St Pancras station, reflecting the firm’s commitment to maintaining efficient customer flow and border crossing.
Despite the app delay, Eurostar remains optimistic about the eventual deployment of these digital solutions. As Cazenave expressed, the EU has intentions to launch the EES irrespective of app availability but remains hopeful for its introduction. The presence of these digital aids would significantly enhance the travel experience by offering a seamless border transition.
In anticipation of the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, Eurostar has already achieved significant sales milestones, with over 415,000 tickets sold. To accommodate this surge, they will increase services between London and Paris, along with enhanced staffing to support the additional passenger load during peak travel days.
The delay of the EU app presents challenges, yet Eurostar’s preparations aim to ensure minimal disruption for travellers.
