Britain is urging European neighbours to crack on and open e-gates to UK travellers without delay so tourists can avoid “airport purgatory”. Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Cabinet Office minister who played a leading role in negotiating the trade deal with the EU negotiated this week, has written to Greece, Germany and the Netherlands, urging them to let Britons use the high-speed facilities “as soon as possible”.
As part of the UK-EU agreement, British nationals will not have to have their passports physically checked by a border official. A new entry-exit System (EES) is due to be introduced this year to register non-EU travellers.
In a letter to the Greek Government, Mr Thomas-Symonds said: “Being able to use e-gates at Greece’s airports would be a significant symbol of the friendship our two countries share. This would further enhance UK travellers’ experience of arriving in Greece, which is such a popular destination for us, with over five million visitors last year.”
He added: “Being amongst the first countries to give full access would not go unnoticed by British people choosing where to head for their holidays this summer.”
In a message to Sunday Express readers, he said: “Have you ever had that feeling of pure relief, landing at an airport that already lets Brits use the e-gates? It just shouldn’t be a pot-luck approach… I’m working with European Union states to open the gates as soon as possible. I’ve started contacting countries to make sure they crack on with it sharpish.”
He said this is “bad news if you love passport stamps” but “just one example of how our new agreement gets rid of border misery”.
Mr THomas-Symonds added: “And the deal doesn’t just make future summer holidays smoother, it strengthens our borders here at home too. We signed new agreements to tackle irregular migration.
“We’re getting access to facial image data, to catch vile people smugglers and dangerous criminals who work internationally. Working together to help police track down rapists, murderers, and drug lords across borders.”
