MPs committee chair warns of ‘significant’ EES disruption if no action taken

The parliamentary transport committee chair has added her voice to those warning of “significant” disruptions this summer if no action is taken on queues caused by Entry/Exit System (EES) checks.

Ruth Cadbury, Labour MP for Brentford and Isleworth, highlighted the problems in a letter to transport secretary Heidi Alexander MP – asking for a response “as soon as possible” because of “the urgency of this issue”.

She outlined problems with the new EU biometric checks at airports and ports such as Dover, adding: “While the UK Government has no direct control over the operation of the EES, it is clear from widespread media reports and the interventions of stakeholders that British tourists and freight entering the UK from the EU could face significant disruptions over the summer if no action is taken.”

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Her letter requests more information on how the government is working with European partners to minimise the disruption seen since the EES became fully operational in April.

“There have been widespread reports of long delays and disruption for British travellers, including instances of passengers missing flights due to delays at the border, both on entering and leaving the Schengen Area,” she wrote.

“There have also been instances of lengthy delays at the juxtaposed controls in the UK, including delays of up to four and a half hours at Dover port in May 2026.

“Stakeholders in the transport sector have expressed concerns that, without intervention, EES delays could cause significant disruption over the busy summer travel period.”

She reiterated the Port of Dover concerns about “queueing cars spilling out of the port onto the public highway for miles” and suggestions that the full implementation of EES be deferred until after the busy summer travel period.

Cadbury also wrote about Airports Council International (ACI) warnings that EES placed some European border authorities, airports and airlines under “unsustainable pressure,” resulting in waiting times of up to five hours at border control during peak periods, flight delays and missed connections.

She asked for more details on Alexander’s engagement with European partners, airlines and ports – plus cross-government engagement, for example with the Home Office or Department for Business and Trade.

And she also asked for clarifications about agreements being negotiated with European partners on any flexible measures which would allow for the suspension of EES checks when demand exceeds current capacity.

A Department for Transport spokesperson noted that Alexander was in talks with the European transport commissioner earlier this week to ensure cross-border travel is as seamless as possible.