Easter Travel Alert: UK Travellers Warned of 2-Hour Queues at European Borders ⏱️

What the new EU rules mean for UK travellers

The EES system, designed to strengthen border security, now requires all non-EU travellers to provide biometric information at the border. While previously only some passengers underwent these checks, everyone arriving from the UK will now be processed under the same rules.

This change has already caused warnings from airports and airlines, with reports of long queues and extended waiting times at major hubs across Europe.

Why queues are longer

According to Airports Council International (ACI), waiting times at European border points have been steadily increasing. Olivier Jankovec, ACI’s director-general, explained that the Easter rush, combined with the full rollout of EES, means travellers should expect slower processing at every checkpoint.

Since its soft launch in October, thousands of passengers have experienced delays, but with the transition period now over, longer queues are expected to become the norm. At larger airports, travellers will use self-service kiosks to submit their fingerprints and photos, while smaller airports will process these checks manually with border officers.

🚆 Easter rail disruptions to impact UK travel

Holidaymakers planning an Easter getaway should also prepare for significant rail disruption across the UK, which may affect journeys to airports.

A large number of services will be impacted by a six-day closure on the West Coast Main Line, one of the country’s key rail routes.

Due to scheduled engineering works, no direct intercity trains will operate between London Euston and Milton Keynes from Good Friday until Wednesday, 8 April.

The work forms part of a wider multi-million-pound investment programme aimed at improving the reliability of the line, which is among the busiest rail corridors in Europe for both passenger and freight traffic.

Train operator Avanti West Coast has warned that services on Thursday, 2 April (Maundy Thursday) are likely to be especially crowded. In response, peak-time restrictions have been temporarily relaxed to help manage demand.

How to make your easter trip smoother

👉 Arrive early: Give yourself extra time at the airport to navigate longer queues.

👉 Keep documents ready: Have your passport easily accessible for biometric checks.

👉 Check for updates: Stay informed with your airline and airport for real-time queue information.

👉 Consider alternative airports: Smaller airports may have shorter waits even if processing is manual.

With these new rules in place, planning ahead is more important than ever. A little extra preparation could save you from stressful delays and ensure your Easter getaway starts smoothly.