OFFICIALS have called for the new EES system to be urgently reviewed with some passengers facing three-hour queues at passport control.
The new Entry/Exit system is set to be up and running by April 10, 2026 for non-EU citizens entering theSchengen area – but there has been a concerns due to huge delays at the border.
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New EES systems has caused delays of up to three hours for non-EU citizensCredit: ReutersThe system is set to be completely rolled out in April 2025Credit: Reuters
The new EES system started rolling out from October 12, 2025, in order to replace manual passport stamping with digital checks for non-EU travelers.
It was designed to eventually reduce airport wait times by automating border checks with biometrics.
But reports have recorded waiting times of up to three hours – and many travellers have taken to social media too.
On December 18, one person said about Lanzarote on X: “Landed at 14.30, over 2 hours later still at airport. This new EEs just is working. Hundreds of people in queue then they stamp passports. Ridiculous”.
On the same day, The Portugal Post reported three-hour queues in the arrivals hall at Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport due to a glitch with the EES system.
It even added that “officials are now weighing whether to switch the system off altogether during Christmas”.
Earlier in the month, one traveller said: “The new EU Entry/Exit System is off to a great start at Prague Airport, with a 3+ hour queue wrapped around the entire terminal right now.”
The Airports Council International (ACI) in Brussels is calling for an urgent review of theentry-exit system (EES).
ACI has said that the capturing of biometric data from third-country nationals entering the Schengen area has resulted in border control processing times at airports increasing by up to 70 per cent.
The ACI has called for a review of the systemCredit: Reuters
The ACI has said that multiple factors have resulted in delays which include regular EES outages.
It reported persistent EES configuration problems, “including the partial deployment or unavailability of self‑service kiosks used by travelers for registration and biometric data capture”.
There is continued unavailability of Automated Border Control (ABC) gates for EES processing at many airports, and the unavailability of an effective pre-registration app.
Another factor is an insufficient amount of border guards at airports.
Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE warned: “Significant discomfort is already being inflicted upon travelers, and airport operations impacted with the current threshold for registering third country nationals set at only 10 per cent.”
Currently, one in 10 travellers has to go through the digital registration.
But by January 9, 2026, the percentage is due to be raised to 35 per cent.
Mr Jankovec has warned that unless the issues are resolved this “will inevitably result in much more severe congestion and systemic disruption for airports and airlines. This will possibly involve serious safety hazards”.
He added: “We fully understand and support the importance of the EES and remain fully committed to its implementation.
“But the EES cannot be about mayhem for travelers and chaos at our airports. If the current operational issues cannot be addressed and the system stabilised by early January, we will need swift action from the European Commission and Schengen Member States to allow additional flexibility in its roll‑out.”
Joel Dommett has admitted to a major blunder during filming of The Masked Singer Christmas special.
Joel admitted he was on “the naughty step”(Image: ITV)
Joel Dommett has disclosed how he plunged The Masked Singer festive special into complete pandemonium during recording following an inadvertent gaffe.
The presenter is making his comeback to the cherished ITV contest, working alongside panellists Jonathan Ross, Maya Jama, Davina McCall and Mo Gilligan.
They’ll be attempting to uncover the true identities of the famous participants alongside audiences at home, using a series of cryptic hints.
Four well-known personalities will perform on stage whilst concealing their identities, disguised as Santa’s Sack, Mistletoe, a Goose A-Laying and Figgy Pudding.
The yuletide episode broadcasts on Boxing Day, with a complete series following several weeks afterwards, reports Wales Online.
It’s now emerged that recording for the seasonal show spiralled into mayhem when Joel inadvertently revealed one of the concealed celebrities.
He confessed to recognising the distinctive giggle from behind Mistletoe’s mask, blurting out their actual identity before realising his error and collapsing to the ground.
The I’m A Celebrity Unpacked presenter told The Sun: “I can’t believe I did it. This person was chuckling in the costume and it’s a chuckle I know well and I said their name. It just came out. Their actual name!”
He continued: “Thankfully, [the judges] had pretty much guessed who it was.
“But producers did reiterate to me that I wasn’t to do that again. I was on the naughty step.”
The Masked Singer UK Christmas special will also showcase a collection of pantomime legends, including Fairy Godmother (Su Pollard), the dame (Christopher Biggins), Wicked Stepmother (Lesley Joseph) and Prince Charming (Basil Brush), who will be offering hints to the judging panel.
This follows Joel’s recent mishap several weeks back whilst recording I’m A Celebrity’s companion show Unpacked.
The presenter was compelled to say sorry after inadvertently cursing, when his regular broadcast was dramatically disrupted after being “assaulted” by a flying insect.
He frantically jumped up from his chair whilst frantically batting at a fly, exclaiming: “Ohhh f***ing hell, that’s massive.”
He swiftly bounced back from the blunder, remembering he was on live television.
“I’m sorry I swore,” he said apologetically, before adding: “That was absolutely petrifying.”
The Masked Singer Christmas Special airs Boxing Day at 7.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
TRAVELLING across the country for Christmas? Then there are some delays you need to look out for.
Each year hundreds of thousands of Brits will travel across the UK from A to B, to be somewhere for Christmas, battling busy roads, trains and airports.
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Travel across the Christmas period is expected to be busy, with the Civil Aviation Authority predicting that December 19 will be the busiest for air travelCredit: Getty
Here’s everything you should know about travel over the Christmas period.
Air
According to the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), data shows that Friday December 19, will be the busiest travel day, with around 460,000 people expected to head off on a flight.
The CAA also revealed that travel on Christmas Day itself is becoming popular, with 160,000 passengers due to fly – 13 per cent more than last year.
The regulator recommended that travellers check their route to the airport and their flight status before leaving home, as winterweather can cause delays.
In addition, the CAA commented that it is important for passengers to understand their rights, including for when a flight is delayed or cancelled.
Alvaro Iturmendi, travel expert at Confused.com, said: “With record numbers of people expected to fly this Christmas, passengers should be prepared for a higher chance of disruption.”
“Busy airports combined with winter weather risks mean delays and cancellations are more likely.”
Heathrow, in particular, is expecting the busiest Christmas on record.
Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said: “We are fully prepared to deliver an exceptional Christmas experience, ensuring passengers enjoy the festive atmosphere across our terminals.
“Millions of passengers have enjoyed exceptional levels of service across the airport this year and those travelling through Heathrow this December can look forward to the best possible start to their journeys this holiday season.”
Flight compensation rules
A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
Road
The AA is predicting that this year will be the busiest Christmas on record for Britain’s roads.
According to the AA forecast, Friday December 19, is set to be the busiest with around 24.4 million cars hitting the roads.
Shaun Jones, AA expert patrol, said: “Our advice is simple: plan ahead, check your route and allow extra time.
“The AA Routeplanner will help you avoid the queues.
“Pack essentials, keep your tank or EV charge topped up, and don’t let congestion steal your Christmas sparkle.
“If you’re leaving your car parked over the festive period, start it for a few minutes every couple of days to ensure it’s ready for January.
“The M27 closure adds an extra twist to the seasonal story, so if you’re travelling in Hampshire, think about alternative routes. Our patrols will be out in force to keep Britain moving, but the best way to avoid a Christmas cracker of a breakdown is to prepare before you set off.”
The AA is predicting that this year will be the busiest Christmas on record on the roadsCredit: AFP
Colin Stevenson, road safety information lead at National Highways, said: “Christmas is all about spending time with family and friends, and the last thing anyone wants is a breakdown getting in the way of festive plans. Spending a few minutes checking tyres, lights, screenwash, fuel and keeping an eye on the weather, can make a real difference.
“With so many people travelling, our teams are working around the clock to keep the country moving.
“We’ve got 530 gritters on standby and over 250,000 tonnes of salt in reserve and ready to use. We also plan to remove as many roadworks as possible, but some work will still need to continue.
“Drivers should check their route before they travel.”
How many cars will be on the roads over Christmas?
HERE are how many cars will be on the roads each day over the Christmas period, according to the AA.
Friday, December 19:
24,408,000
Saturday, December 20:
23,730,000
Sunday, December 21:
22,374,000
Monday, December 22:
24,069,000
Tuesday, December 23:
24,069,000
Wednesday, December 24:
22,713,000
Thursday, December 25:
18,306,000
Regarding car hire, Stewart Cahill, assistant vice president, rental, UK and Ireland at Enterprise Mobility, said: “Driving home for Christmas is a key part of the festive season for many – and we’re definitely seeing demand rise across our rental branches.
“Our research shows that the average round trip this Christmas will be more than 500 miles – the equivalent of driving from London to Middlesbrough and back – with nearly half of all holiday journeys happening by road.
“Car hire is especially popular with younger travellers this year, with almost a third of Gen Z and Millennials planning to rent for their Christmas trip.
“If you’re looking to hire a car, we’d recommend booking early to avoid limited availability closer to the holidays, especially for larger vehicles or one-way rentals. Planning ahead can also help lock in the best price and beat the last-minute rush.”
Coach
A spokesperson for National Express told Sun Travel: “The Christmas period is one of our busiest and our customers know they can count on us to get them to where they need to be, with the highest passenger numbers expected on 20th, 23rd, 26th and 27th December.
“Routes from London, Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester, as well as major airports such as Stansted and Heathrow, are particularly busy as people travel to see family and friends.
“On Christmas Day itself we are operating the nation’s largest festive coach network, with 355 services from 96 locations.
“Given the planned rail disruption over the festive period we’re expecting our coaches to be busy and have increased capacity to meet demand.
“Customers are strongly advised to book early to guarantee a seat and allow extra time for their journeys, especially when travelling to airports.”
Rail
According to The Independent, December 20 and December 22 will be the busiest days for rail.
Network Rail has listed a number of services that will be disrupted online.
These include no trains running on Christmas Day across the UK and on Boxing Day, there will be a reduced service.
There will be a number of engineering works taking place over the festive period as well.
There will also be no trains to or from London Waterloo Station or Vauxhall on December 27 and 28, with services starting and terminating at Clapham Junction.
There will be no trains running on Christmas Day across the UKCredit: Getty
A limited service will also run to and from London Waterloo from December 29 to January 2.
Buses will replace trains between Milton Keynes Central and Rugby/Northampton from December 27 to January 4 and journeys on the West Coast Main Line between London Euston and the Midlands/North West England/Scotland will be disrupted.
Buses will replace trains between Carlisle and Lockerbie from January 1 to 7, as well as between Dalmuir and Balloch/Helensburgh from December 27 to 31.
And no trains will run between Cambridge and Cambridge North, Bury St Edmunds and Stansted Airport from December 27 to January 4.
Ferry
For those travelling via ferry from the Port of Dover, there are also some dates where lots of people are expected to be travelling.
Doug Bannister, chief executive of the Port of Dover, said: “The weekend before Christmas is expected to be particularly busy, with peak traffic anticipated between 6am and 1pm from Friday, December 19, to Sunday, December 21.
“To help ensure a smooth departure, we kindly ask all customers travelling with our ferry partners not to arrive any earlier than two hours before their scheduled sailing, just as you would if departing from a UK airport, and greatly appreciate everyone’s patience should there be any additional waiting time due to the high volumes of traffic.”
Irish Ferries, in particular, is expecting lots of traffic from this weekend.
From December 19 onwards, sailings are expected to be busy on both Dover-Calais to the Continent and on Irish Sea routes from Holyhead and Pembroke, Irish Ferries told Sun Travel.
The operator added that there are still some sailings that are dealing with the aftermath of Storm Bram and advised passengers to have confirmed booking, as well as checking the status of their sailing via the Sailing Updates pages online.
In addition, Irish Ferries also suggest that travellers need to make preparations if they intend to travel with their pet, by booking a space in the Pets Den.
The festive season is one of the busiest times for travel, and it’s handy to know your rights when it comes to getting a refund and compensation for any delays or cancellations you may encounter
There are important factors to note when it comes to claiming refunds and compensation(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The Christmas period is famously one of the most chaotic times for travel, with thousands of Brits hopping on planes or trains to reunite with family and friends, whether that’s within the UK or abroad. With travel disruption already anticipated in the run-up to Christmas, it’s essential to understand your entitlements regarding refunds and compensation should you face any delays or cancellations.
Multiple strikes have already been confirmed, threatening to cause significant disruption to holiday travel. Approximately 200 check-in and baggage handling workers employed by easyJet at London Luton Airport are set to strike during the final two weekends of December amid an ongoing pay row.
Meanwhile, Heathrow Airport is bracing itself to handle seven million passengers across its four terminals throughout the festive period. It has also emerged that Friday, 20 December, and Sunday, 28 December, are set to be the busiest days for UK airports.
Furthermore, National Rail has confirmed there will be “planned essential engineering works and upgrades taking place as Network Rail works to improve the railway” over the festive period. There may also be reduced services, with some train operators making alterations to their schedules.
So if you’re journeying during the hectic festive season and encounter delays or cancellations, here’s your complete guide to refunds and compensation entitlements.
Flight refunds
If your flight gets cancelled while you’re travelling to or from the UK, you’re legally entitled to either a refund or an alternative flight to your destination, according to MoneySavingExpert. However, there are a few key points that passengers should be aware of:
The airline is responsible, even if your booking was made through an online travel agency
If you booked a package holiday, the responsibility lies with the tour operator
You’re entitled to an alternative flight at the earliest opportunity, and it doesn’t need to be with the same airline
You can request a different flight, but don’t go ahead and book one yourself
Moreover, if your flight is significantly delayed, which could range from two to four hours, Citizens Advice states that the airline must provide you with:
Food and drink
Access to phone calls and emails
Accommodation if you’re delayed overnight – along with transport between the airport and hotel
For more details, you can visit the Citizens’ Advice website. It’s also advisable to check directly with your airline to see if you qualify for a refund.
Flight compensation
When it comes to flight compensation for delays or cancellations on journeys to or from the UK, the rules can vary. It’s crucial to remember that even if an airline offers a credit note in lieu of a refund, you’re entirely within your rights to demand a cash reimbursement, potentially of up to £520.
As outlined by MoneySavingExpert, under the UK/EU flight delay compensation scheme, certain flights qualify for compensation at a fixed rate. For your flight to be eligible, it must satisfy the following conditions:
Your flight arrived more than three hours late at its destination
The flight was scheduled in the past six years
The delay was the airline’s fault
You may also be eligible for compensation if you were unable to board your flight due to overbooking.
MoneySavingExpert highlights that compensation under EU/UK regulations concerns the “inconvenience of a delay”, rather than reimbursement of the ticket cost. The amount you could claim depends on how long your delay lasted and the distance of your journey.
Furthermore, what matters is your arrival time, not your departure time. Travellers become eligible for compensation when their flight lands more than three hours after the scheduled arrival time.
To determine if you qualify for compensation, you should check directly with your airline.
Rail refunds
National Rail states that if your train experiences delays or cancellations and you choose not to travel, you can secure a refund for your unused ticket without facing any fees from the original seller. If you purchased your ticket from a railway company, their contact information can be found on National Rail’s Find a Train Company page.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting that tickets purchased from self-service machines at stations often include instructions on how to request a refund.
Train compensation
Regarding compensation for rail journeys, National Rail confirms that passengers who arrive late at their destination due to cancelled or delayed services may be eligible to claim money back directly from the train operator.
National Rail states that eligibility depends on several factors:
Train company you travelled with – different companies have different guidelines, but they all offer compensation
Type of train ticket – compensation is calculated differently depending on the ticket purchased
Length of the delay – each train company has its own “compensation threshold”
The most effective way to establish whether you qualify for train travel compensation is to check directly with the operator you booked through. Claims can usually be submitted online, and sometimes via post, or even through designated staff at stations.
Angry Ginge, whose real name is Morgan Burtwistle, won I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here 2025 and was crowned King of the Jungle after beating fellow finalists Tom Read Wilson and Shona McGarty
19:06, 08 Dec 2025Updated 19:06, 08 Dec 2025
I’m A Celeb chaos as Angry Ginge win causes unprecedented change(Image: ITV)
ITV were reported to be making unprecedented changes after Angry Ginge’s I’m A Celebrity win. Bosses were said to have grown increasingly concerned for the YouTuber’s safety as eager fans tried to snap a picture with the star.
On Sunday (7 December), Angry Ginge, whose real name is Morgan Burtwistle, was crowned King of the Jungle. After his win, fans crowded the hotel where all the campmates and their families were staying after the final.
ITV bosses were said to be growing concerned for the 24-year-old’s safety, and that of all their contestants, leading to a last-minute change of venue for the champion’s post-show interviews, moving them to his hotel room.
Speaking to The Sun, a source said: “Security was overwhelmed by the situation and ITV had to take action to protect Ginge and his family. He couldn’t wait to get out of the jungle after three weeks in camp. Ginge hasn’t seen anything like it, he can’t quite believe the impact he’s had.”
However, while ITV have said they did change the venue of Ginge’s press interviews, they have stressed that they have not brought in extra security, nor confined him to his room. A spokesperson told The Mirror: “All our finalists have security every year – we take the security and welfare of all our campmates seriously.
“[Ginge has] been filming Coming Out in and around the hotel, he’s not been stuck in his room. We did his press interview in his room, because otherwise all the I’m A Celeb fans would have interrupted his interview.”
Ginge broke down in tears as he was crowned King of the Jungle. He was comforted by the runner-up, Tom Read Wilson, whilst the other campmates looked on, including fellow finalist, Shona McGarty.
Following his win, Ginge sat down with The Mirror to discuss his win and everything that came with his time on the show – including his status as a sex symbol. Talking of of the new female attention: “It’s not something I would have anticipated, I must admit. But yeah, maybe me in jungle attire is quite sexy.”
He added that there was a point when he considered quitting the show. Viewers watched as the star broke down in the Bush Telegraph after being hit by a wave of homesickness. Ginge said: “I came out the Bush Telegraph, and then I went and sat by the pond by myself there.
“I asked myself ‘Do I want to go the extra two weeks. I was debating it, but then I just powered through it.’” He said he wanted to make his mum proud.
“I will never forget where I came from, and I think because I started literally from the bottom and watched everyone around me from my mates to their parents, my mum, everyone had to graft their way to get wherever it was.”
