Passenger numbers are expected to exceed five billion globally for the first time next year – but changes to airport regulations could make travel “more challenging and time-consuming” for UK passengers.
The rollout has been delayed multiple times since 2022 due to concerns about the readiness of fingerprint and face-scanning technology.
Passengers wait at Gatwick Airport after flights were cancelled or delayed in July (Photo: Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty)
The UK’s largest airports are also set to lift the 100ml limit on hand luggage liquids in the new year, raising the prospect of lengthy queues at security as staff and passengers adjust to the new rules.
“The implementation of new liquid rules and the biometric entry-exit system for non-EU member state travellers is anticipated to launch in 2025.
The remote, overlooked capital to visit now before everyone else does
Read More“The EU’s apparent preference for a Spring 2025 launch coincides unfortunately with the start of peak summer holidays for UK passengers.
Replacing the manual stamping of passports, EES checks will see travellers from non-EU countries register biometric information the first time they enter a member state, with the details stored on a database for three years.
In October, the European Commission announced that the most recent target date, 10 November, would be missed due to concerns about the system’s “resilience”.
“Undoubtedly there will be issues in 2025, they can’t be avoided,” John Grant, an aviation consultant, told The i Paper.
A woman points at a flight board at Heathrow Airport (Photo: Hollie Adams / Reuters)Similar to the the EES, the implementation of new rules governing the amount of liquid passengers are allowed to carry in their hand luggage have been delayed repeatedly.
All you can fly from £495 a year – the rise of travel subscriptions
Read MoreWhile seven smaller airports – including London City, Newcastle and Aberdeen – met the deadline, the UK’s four busiest hubs – London Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted and Manchester – failed to install the new technology in time.
Mr Grant said: “The CAA permitted the 100ml and then at a moments notice went back to the old requirements, leaving airports frustrated and disillusioned at the whole process.”
Gatwick said it expects to install the remaining scanners in the first three months of 2025. Heathrow, Stansted and Manchester have been vaguer, aiming to complete the process by the end of the next year.
My dad left me £10,000 when he died - it was gone within a year
Read MoreHowever, there are concerns that delays in the rollout and the variation in rules across airports could leave travellers confused, causing hold-ups at security.
Extreme weather has caused significant disruption for air travellers this year, with hundreds of flights across the UK grounded by Storms Bert and Darragh in recent months.
He said: “Weather disruption is certainly increasing as we see a greater impact, not just in the UK but overseas with events like Palma Airport being flooded in torrential downpours or further afield fog and smog in places such as Delhi or tropical storms/hurricanes in the Caribbean and Florida.”
The International Air Travel Association (IATA), the industry’s top lobby group, said it expects passenger numbers to hit 5.2 billion, a 6.7 per cent increase on 2024 and an all-time high.
He added: “A number of airlines face ongoing challenges with late aircraft deliveries and groundings keeping capacity tighter than might otherwise be the case.”
Hence then, the article about holiday disruption to worsen in 2025 due to liquid rules and fingerprint checks was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Holiday disruption to worsen in 2025 due to liquid rules and fingerprint checks )
Also on site :