New EU border rules update as expert says ‘allow an extra hour’ | Travel News | Travel

Travelling can prove demanding at the best of times, but few scenarios trigger anxiety quite like the possibility of missing your flight. While you may believe turning up at the airport 90 minutes before departure provides ample time to check in, pass through security and reach your gate, travel expert and broadcaster Hayley Sparkes cautions the new EU border procedures could mean travellers need to allow themselves substantially more leeway.

As a travel industry specialist, Hayley frequently features in the press offering her insights and expert travel guidance, while also appearing on a prime-time series for Channel 5. In 2023, Hayley and her close friend Laura Hamilton (fellow TV presenter) became brand ambassadors for travel company – The Travel Franchise/Not Just Travel.

Hayley and Laura have since become travel agents themselves and now lead a team of travel specialists to help others enjoy remarkable holidays.

The Entry/Exit System (EES) mandates biometric checks for numerous non-EU travellers and has already generated significant queues at certain major European airports. Speaking to TravelTime Travel Insurance, Hayley outlined why arriving at the airport even earlier could protect your holiday and emphasised that your airline or airport won’t necessarily bear responsibility if an extended passport or security queue results in you missing your flight.

She also disclosed the common queuing blunder that can cost travellers valuable time, as well as the vital detail buried in travel insurance small print that could leave holidaymakers out of pocket if they fail to plan accordingly.

Hayley said: “The new Entry/Exit System means eligible British travellers are having biometric information registered and checked, so there can be additional processing, particularly if you’re using the system for the first time. My best advice is that it isn’t worth the risk of cutting it fine, as it could mean you miss your flight.

“I’d personally be allowing at least an extra hour, especially in busy airports, during the peak summer period or if you will be travelling with children, elderly relatives or anyone who needs special assistance. The mistake is thinking, ‘I’ve got an hour and a half before my flight, I’ll be fine.’ You need to remember that you’ve potentially got check-in, bag drop, security and border control, so you must allow for additional time.”

Should a passenger miss their flight as a result of exceptionally lengthy border control queues, who bears responsibility for the cost of a replacement flight?

Hayley said: “There isn’t a simple black and white answer that the ‘airport will pay’; it depends on several factors. Don’t automatically assume the airline will put you on another flight for free or that your travel insurance provider will cover it. Everything will depend upon the wording in your contracts and individual circumstances.

“If you end up in this situation, it’s always best to speak to the airline before purchasing another ticket. Document all the evidence you can, including photographs of the queue, receipts, boarding passes and any messages from the airport. Take names if you speak to any staff. If you have to pay upfront for a new flight, keep your receipts in case you can claim from your insurance.

“Insurance policy wording is crucial. Government travel guidance specifically warns travellers to check whether their policy covers delays and cancellations and to make sure the cover is appropriate for the trip they are planning, so pay attention to the small print.”

What are the biggest mistakes travellers could make when faced with long queues at EU border control?

Hayley said: “I think the biggest mistake is to panic and stay silent. If you can see you’re getting dangerously close to your flight time, speak to airport staff. Don’t just stand in the queue hoping it will suddenly move; there may be something that staff can do to help you through faster.

“Make sure you have passports and boarding passes at the ready so you don’t waste precious time rummaging through bags to find them. It’s always a smart idea to take a screenshot of your boarding passes in case the Wi-Fi or your data roaming isn’t working.”

What should travellers do if delays at border control cause them to miss their flight?

Hayley said: “Evidence and documentation are your friend in this situation. It is worth asking airport staff whether they can confirm you have had a huge delay, so take names and email addresses if needed.

“Do speak to staff before paying for a new flight; find out first if they would be willing to arrange a new one for you under the circumstances. Try to avoid booking connecting flights with a very narrow window of time between them. It is always better to have a reasonable amount of time in between to allow for unforeseen circumstances. Again, do check the wording of your travel insurance properly in advance to see if you would be covered. Again, do check the wording of your travel insurance properly in advance to see if you would be covered.”

What are the biggest travel insurance mistakes you see Brits making before going abroad?

Hayley said: “A lot of travellers purchase travel insurance as an afterthought and sometimes only buy it the night before they fly. Ideally, you want to purchase your travel insurance at the same time you book your holiday.

“Your travel insurance policy must begin when you book the holiday so that cancellation cover can start straight away. Do take the time to read what your policy covers and if it is right for you and your family’s needs.

“Don’t forget that certain activities like skiing or watersports may need additional cover. Be sure to declare all pre-existing medical conditions accurately. Also check your destinations and any stopovers. Your insurance needs to cover the whole trip, not just the country where you’re spending the majority of your trip.”