Committee publication · Correspondence · 15 July 2026
Letter from the Chair to Transport Secretary relating to EU Entry/Exit Scheme, dated 15 July 2026
From: Transport Committee
Summary
The Transport Committee Chair writes to the Transport Secretary requesting detailed information on the Government's engagement with European partners regarding disruptions caused by the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) since its April 2026 implementation. The letter raises concerns about border delays affecting UK travellers and freight, particularly at Dover, and seeks clarification on negotiations for flexible suspension mechanisms and cross-government coordination.
Key findings
- Since EES became fully operational in April 2026, widespread reports document long delays and disruption for British travellers, with instances of passengers missing flights and delays up to 4.5 hours at Dover port in May 2026.
- The Port of Dover warned that further critical incidents could result in queuing cars spilling onto public highways for miles, threatening local area impact and disruption to just-in-time freight (medicines, automotive components, fresh food).
- Airports Council International requested the EU provide flexibility to completely suspend EES during peak periods (targeting July and August) and establish permanent operational flexibility mechanisms by September 2026.
- The Transport Secretary previously told the committee that officials hold fortnightly airline meetings, met the EU Travel and Transport Commissioner in March 2026, and planned close working with French counterparts over summer.
- The Government is seeking flexibilities allowing suspension of EES checks when demand exceeds capacity, though the Minister for Border Security stated a full suspension is not 'deliverable'.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Ruth Cadbury MP, Heidi Alexander MP, Alex Norris MP, Port of Dover, Airports Council International, European Commission, French Government
Notable line
“… just-in-time products - medicines, automotive components, fresh food – that must be on the shelf or on an assembly line within a very short time window”
Key Quotes
“… just-in-time products - medicines, automotive components, fresh food – that must be on the shelf or on an assembly line within a very short time window”
“… worse experience ahead of border controls, with queueing cars spilling out of the port onto the public highway for miles”
“… provide Member States with all the flexibility needed to completely suspend EES, preventively whenever passenger volumes exceed the operational capacity of border control facilities, at least throughout July and August”
“… happy to consider what more we could do with our European counterparts to provide reassurance and confidence in the system because it is important for people”
“"the checks in Schengen countries are a matter for them, but […] we are engaging with all countries, not just France …”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗