Dover chief executive Doug Bannister told Kent Online the much delayed finger print and facial scan system would likely be pushed back again until later this year and would be phased in.
The EES will apply to all UK citizens entering the EU and is a result of Brexit. It will be in operation at all EU airports, except Ireland, when UK travellers arrive. It will also apply to ferry passengers departing Dover, Eurostar departures from St Pancras International in London and at Eurotunnel in Folkestone.
EES requires a fingerprint and biometric facial scan of each passenger, which will add several minutes to processing time when passengers are initially registered. Last year, the House of Lords was warned of "complete carnage" if the scheme was introduced before systems were ready.
Bannister said Dover had adopted a Department for Transport “planning assumption” that November would be the start date. “So that’s what we’re gearing our plans up for,” he said, albeit while stressing: “We don’t yet know.”
He added there would be a “progressive implementation from there”.
EES was due to have been introduced on 10 November 2024, having been originally scheduled for a 2022 launch. However, concerns were raised at potential huge queues at EU airports and UK ports due to the necessary technology not being ready in time.
To cope with the increased processing time, Dover has infilled a large area, Granville Dock, to serve as a holding site but land needs to settle until April before it can be surfaced. Eurostar has said it is ready to operate EES at St Pancras.
The latest delay to the start of EES may have implications for the EU’s European Travel Authorisation and Information System (Etias) visa waiver scheme. The EU said Etias would be introduced six months after EES, which could push it back until May 2026.
Etias, which was originally approved in 2016, will cost €7 (£6) and be needed for all UK travellers to the EU.
Like the EES biometrics, which will remain on file for three years, Etias authorisations will also last for three years for multiple entry and exit into the EU.
