A new survey from Booking.com has revealed three in five people going on holiday to Europe are concerned about the long delays from the EU’s new border checks
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Holidaymakers fear they will miss their flights due to checks(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Three in five UK holidaymakers heading to Europe this year expect to be caught up in delays linked to the European Union’s new entry-exit system (EES).
Figures from a recent survey show that 59% of travellers believe they’ll be held up by the new system and fear they could miss their flights due to the border checks. EES involves people from third-party countries such as the UK having their fingerprints registered and photograph taken to enter the Schengen Area, which consists of 29 European countries, mainly in the EU.
For most UK travellers, the process is done at foreign airports. A poll commissioned by Booking.com revealed the worrying figures.
The representative body Airports Council International recently reporting that EES was causing delays of up to three hours, with airports in Spain, Portugal, France and Italy among the worst affected. Last month more than 100 easyJet passengers missed a flight from Milan Linate to Manchester as the border checks were ramped up at passport desks.
The survey indicated that 56% of UK travellers plan to arrive at airports earlier than usual in an attempt to avoid disruption, with 12% intending to arrive at least four hours before departure. More than half (52%) of respondents who have travelled to the EU since the introduction of EES said they experienced delays during their journey.
Meanwhile 43% said they were not delayed. Families and holidaymakers travelling to Europe during the May half-term break were told to make sure their passports are eligible for their dates and to keep items such as portable phone chargers and medication in their hand luggage.
Ryan Pearson, regional manager for the UK and Ireland at Booking.com, said: “May half-term is a key moment in the travel calendar, and we know many people are feeling anxious about how the new entry-exit system could impact their trip. We want to help travellers feel informed and prepared before they leave, whether that’s checking travel documents in advance or packing the right essentials in hand luggage in case of longer queues.
“Changes to the way we travel can understandably feel daunting, but we’re already seeing that many journeys are running smoothly. The key is preparation.”
Advantage Travel Partnership, a network of independent travel agents, reported earlier this month that demand for holidays in Greece has surged since the country revealed on April 17 it will not impose the requirements on UK travellers this summer. The south-eastern European country’s market share of UK holiday bookings rose from 7.7% in mid-April to 9.98% by the end of the month, Advantage Travel Partnership said.
EES was first introduced in October last year, with its roll out ramped up on April 10. EU rules currently allow the checks to be temporarily halted to avoid queues at peak periods.
WASHINGTON, May 14 (UPI) — Every day at 4 a.m., Cesar wakes up to sell burritos on the streets of Los Angeles. He spends a few hours preparing food in his apartment kitchen and later sets up a small canopy tent with a grill, several coolers and a large sign, made by his sister, advertising “burritos for sale.”
He has done this for the last three weeks, after finding out just over a month ago that he was terminated from his human relations job. He lost the job because of renewal delays to his status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program.
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill, said Tuesday that 32,000 people have lost their DACA status largely as a result of delays. The Department of Homeland Security has not released data on the number of people waiting for renewals.
More than 500,000 people rely on DACA, according to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. The program requires recipients to renew their status every two years.
“At first, when I was let go, I was feeling devastated, defeated,” said Cesar, who came to the United States when he was 4 and who did not want his last name used for fear of government retribution. “But, after going through those feelings, I knew I couldn’t just sit there.”
Cesar is one of many DACA recipients who have lost their jobs in recent months due to renewal delays, largely caused by increased vetting procedures. The program requires recipients to renew their status every two years.
The Obama-era immigration program provides work authorization to those who qualify, as well as protection from deportation. When their status expires, DACA recipients lose both protections. Many, like Cesar, now have been terminated from their jobs as a result and fear deportation.
Cesar applied for his renewal in early December, nearly six months ago. Like many others, he has received no communication since from USCIS. Previously, renewal applications took one to two months on average, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Last year, the median processing time was 15 days, according to DHS data.
“In its 14 years, we have certainly seen the DACA program face a whole host of attacks,” said Anabel Mendoza, a spokesperson from United We Dream, a youth-led immigrant network. “But what we’re seeing now is truly the most dangerous moment in DACA’s history.
More than 700 people attended a Zoom event hosted by United We Dream last week to help DACA recipients navigate the instability created by these delays. There was a distinct sense of anxiety among the attendees.
Participants flooded the chat feature of the call with anecdotes of losing solid jobs and questions on whether DACA recipients qualified for paid leave or unemployment.
One attendee wrote that, although he would prefer not to use unemployment, he had been waiting five months to receive his renewal. Like many others, he was worried about his ability to pay off significant bills and loans after losing his job.
One person even questioned whether they could sue the current administration.
Another asked whether they could now be deported, with many worrying whether they may even be detained at their immigration appointments.
The two central benefits of DACA, historically, have been legal protection from deportation and work authorization. However, a recent ruling by the Board of Immigration Appeals, an arm of the Department of Justice, said that judges can no longer stop deportation proceedings simply based on the plaintiff having DACA status. This marked a significant shift in immigration policy.
Organizers at the event stressed that DACA still protects recipients from deportation, but judges now have to consider DACA cases more closely. They later acknowledged that many DACA recipients were detained and deported by ICE last year, even before the ruling.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons confirmed in April that 343 people with DACA status were detained between January and November 2025, while 176 were deported.
Former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement in February that most of these people had “criminal histories.” However she did not specify their crimes or whether they had been arrested, charged or convicted.
“It is part of a broader pattern of really trying to undermine DACA and erode the very protections that the program was meant to uphold,” Mendoza said.
This was a sentiment echoed by Maria Fernanda Madrigal, a mother of three who recently lost her job as an immigration attorney after losing her work permit because of the delays.
In an interview, she questioned whether the delays were an intentional strategy by the Trump administration. She explained that the renewal process had previously been very straightforward for many of her clients — sometimes taking just a week.
“I’m still trying to figure out what the goal is,” Madrigal said. “Because it’s hard, do they want us to leave?”
She highlighted Trump’s attempted termination of the DACA program in 2017 during his first term. The Supreme Court blocked him and preserved the program in 2020.
Now, she wonders whether it may be easier for her and her family to leave the United States. She explained that, unlike their parents, “a lot of us [DACA recipients] have degrees and careers, so we know that we’ll be able to build lives somewhere else.”
Madrigal now keeps the doors of her house locked at all times out of fear of being detained while she awaits her renewal. She said she and her husband have had discussions about whether their small children should share a bed with them.
“If I’m ever detained, these are the moments that I’m going to want, right? I’m going to look back and say I wish I would have cuddled with them a little longer,” Madrigal said.
As Cesar’s new business continues to grow, he faces similar fears, worrying whether he might be “taken away at any moment.”
“I know a lot of people say we’re resilient and we’ll figure it out. And that’s very true,” Madrigal said. “But, I think the main thing that our people understand is, even though we might be able to stick together and get over this, we shouldn’t have to.”
The latest developments surrounding Nvidia’s H200 chip sales to China highlight the growing complexity of the technological rivalry between the United States and China. Although Washington has reportedly approved several major Chinese firms to purchase Nvidia’s advanced artificial intelligence chips, no deliveries have taken place so far.
The situation reflects how geopolitical competition is increasingly disrupting even officially approved commercial agreements in the semiconductor sector.
Nvidia, the world’s leading artificial intelligence chip manufacturer, now finds itself caught between United States export control policies and China’s push for technological self reliance.
What Is the H200 Chip?
The H200 is Nvidia’s second most powerful artificial intelligence chip and is designed for advanced AI model training and data center operations.
The chip is particularly valuable for companies developing large language models, cloud computing systems, and next generation AI applications.
Before export restrictions tightened, Nvidia dominated China’s advanced AI chip market with an estimated market share of around 95 percent.
China also represented a major source of revenue for Nvidia, making access to the Chinese market strategically important for the company’s long term growth.
Which Chinese Companies Were Approved?
According to reports, the United States Commerce Department approved around ten Chinese firms to purchase H200 chips.
These reportedly include major Chinese technology companies such as:
Alibaba
Tencent
ByteDance
JD.com
Several distributors were also reportedly approved, including:
Under the licensing terms, each approved customer could reportedly purchase up to 75,000 chips.
However, despite these approvals, no actual sales or deliveries have yet been completed.
Why Have the Sales Stalled?
The delays appear to stem from concerns on both the United States and Chinese sides.
Chinese Concerns
Chinese authorities reportedly fear that reliance on Nvidia chips could undermine Beijing’s efforts to strengthen its domestic semiconductor industry.
China has invested heavily in local AI chip development, particularly through companies such as Huawei.
Beijing increasingly sees semiconductor self sufficiency as a national security priority amid escalating technological competition with Washington.
There are also concerns within China regarding supply chain security and possible vulnerabilities linked to imported American technology.
Recent Chinese regulations aimed at reducing foreign dependence in critical technology sectors have reportedly intensified scrutiny of these chip purchases.
United States Restrictions
The United States has simultaneously imposed strict export control requirements on advanced semiconductor sales to China.
Chinese buyers must reportedly prove that the chips will not be used for military purposes and that adequate security procedures are in place.
Nvidia must also satisfy inventory and compliance conditions under American export laws.
Additionally, reports suggest the Trump administration negotiated an unusual arrangement in which the United States would receive a portion of revenue generated from the chip sales. This reportedly requires the chips to pass through American territory before shipment to China.
Such conditions have further complicated the transaction process.
Jensen Huang’s Diplomatic Push
Nvidia Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang has emerged as a key figure in efforts to preserve Nvidia’s access to the Chinese market.
Huang reportedly joined President Donald Trump during a diplomatic visit linked to talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
His participation underscores the economic significance of the semiconductor dispute and the importance of China to Nvidia’s business strategy.
Huang has repeatedly warned that export controls risk permanently weakening Nvidia’s position in China while encouraging Chinese firms to accelerate domestic alternatives.
The Larger Strategic Battle
The Nvidia dispute reflects a broader struggle between the United States and China over technological dominance in artificial intelligence.
Washington increasingly views advanced semiconductor technology as a strategic national security asset. American policymakers fear that unrestricted access to advanced AI chips could strengthen China’s military and technological capabilities.
China, meanwhile, sees semiconductor independence as essential to reducing vulnerability to foreign pressure and sanctions.
As a result, both sides are attempting to balance economic interests with long term strategic competition.
Implications for the Global AI Industry
The uncertainty surrounding Nvidia’s China business could have major implications for the global artificial intelligence industry.
If Chinese companies lose access to Nvidia chips, they may accelerate investment in domestic alternatives, potentially reshaping the global semiconductor market over time.
At the same time, restrictions on AI chip trade risk fragmenting the global technology ecosystem into competing American and Chinese spheres.
This could reduce international collaboration, disrupt supply chains, and intensify geopolitical competition over emerging technologies.
Future Outlook
Despite current delays, neither the United States nor China appears willing to completely sever technological and commercial ties.
However, the Nvidia case demonstrates that semiconductor trade between the two powers is becoming increasingly politicized and strategically sensitive.
The future of AI competition may ultimately depend not only on innovation, but also on which country can build the most resilient and independent technology ecosystem.
For Nvidia, maintaining its position between the world’s two largest economies will likely remain one of its greatest strategic challenges.
Conclusion
The stalled Nvidia H200 deal illustrates how deeply geopolitical tensions now shape the global technology industry.
Although the United States has approved limited chip exports to China, political distrust, national security concerns, and strategic competition continue to obstruct implementation.
As artificial intelligence becomes central to economic and military power, semiconductor trade is no longer simply a commercial issue. It has become a defining arena in the broader contest between Washington and Beijing for technological leadership in the twenty first century.
NEW YORK — President Trump won’t have to pay an $83-million defamation award to a longtime advice columnist until the U.S. Supreme Court gets a chance to review the case or reject an appeal, according to a court entry Tuesday.
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed to a request by one of Trump’s lawyers to let the president delay the payment to E. Jean Carroll, though it required that Trump post a $7.4-million bond to cover any additional interest costs, a request Carroll’s attorney had made.
The appeals court late last month refused Trump’s request for a rare meeting of the full 2nd Circuit to hear an appeal of a three-judge panel’s affirmation of the January 2024 verdict.
Afterward, Trump attorney Justin D. Smith asked the 2nd Circuit to stay the effect of its decision upholding the award so that the president would not be forced to pay the judgment before the high court has a chance to consider an appeal.
Smith said last week there was a “fair prospect” that the Supreme Court will find in favor of Trump, who has called Carroll’s claims — first made publicly in 2019 — that she was sexually attacked by Trump in a Manhattan luxury department store dressing room in the spring of 1996, a “made-up scam.”
The $83-million award to Carroll, 82, came from a jury that briefly heard Trump testify and observed his animated behavior for several days.
In upholding the verdict, a 2nd Circuit panel wrote in September 2025 that Trump continued his attacks against Carroll for at least five years, making them “more extreme and frequent as the trial approached.”
“He also continued these same attacks during the trial itself,” the appeals court said. “In one such statement, issued two days into the trial, Trump proclaimed that he would continue to defame Carroll ‘a thousand times.’ ”
The jury had been instructed to accept the findings of a jury that in May 2023 awarded Carroll $5 million after concluding Trump sexually abused her in the department store and then defamed her after she published her account of it in a 2019 memoir.
Trump is challenging the $83-million award on several grounds, asserting “absolute immunity” for comments he made while president as he disavowed knowing Carroll and attacked her motivations, saying they were politically driven or arose from a desire to promote her memoir.
Sisak and Neumeister write for the Associated Press.
BRITISH Airways’ multi-million pound superjumbo refit faces certification delays over fears crew cannot safely restrain drunk passengers in its new business class seats.
The airline is in the process of upgrading its Airbus A380 fleet with its latest Club Suite, which comes with a sliding privacy door.
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But the makeover could hit delays because of concerns over how staff would deal with an air rage passenger on the upper deck.
BA plans to move a small section economy seats off the top floor and replace them with a larger Club World cabin.
Its passenger restraint kit is understood to be approved for economy and premium economy seats – not the new suite-style business seats.
That could leave crew with a major problem if a passenger became violent or disruptive upstairs.
Sources said hauling a violent passenger down the A380’s narrow staircases could put crew and other passengers at risk.
The first aircraft are currently being worked on in Manila, Philippines, as part of the refurbishment programme.
Industry sources have also suggested there may be certification concerns over the weight of the new business seats, which include motors and sliding doors.
Extra weight on the upper deck could affect the plane’s payload limits.
However, any delay may also be linked to wider supply chain issues affecting premium aircraft seats across the industry.
British Airways said the A380 refit programme remains on schedule for 2026.
Frequent flyer Mark Wolters has shared his airline travel secrets – and one of them involves setting your alarm for a very unsociable time
15:20, 09 May 2026Updated 15:31, 09 May 2026
It’s exasperating when you lose a chunk of your holiday to flight delays(Image: Jackyenjoyphotography via Getty Images)
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of air travel is discovering that your flight has been delayed and realising that you’re doomed to spend the next couple of hours in an uncomfortable plastic chair. But American travel expert Mark Wolters has some valuable tips that can save holidaymakers from the heartache of hanging around in the departure lounge.
In a new video on his Wolters World YouTube channel, Mark has a range of savvy solutions for finding the best restaurants and the cleanest loos at any airport.
He also advises, in the US at least , picking flights that depart from purely-international terminals as opposed to terminals that service both domestic and intercontinental flights.
He explains that quest for security checks will always be far longer at dual-use terminals: “For example,” Mark say, “when I go to Chicago, I know if I’m flying out of Terminal Five, the international terminal, it’s going to be a lot faster than if I’m flying out of Terminal Two, which has a lot of domestic flights.”
“It’s a good idea to look up because it could save you a time, especially if you’re running behind getting to the airport,” he advises.
Mark adds: “The airport secret I use the most when I travel is take the early morning flights if you want the least amount of headaches.”
He adds that while it might mean setting your alarm for a painfully-early time, there’s a good reason for picking those crack-of-dawn flights: “If you take that early morning flight, usually your plane landed the night before, so you don’t have the delays,” Mark explains.
“Also, when you go to check in, there’s not 3,000 extra people there. It’s just the first people flights that are there. So, it’s usually faster to get through security, faster to check in, faster to get to your gate, that takes a lot of the stress away.”
Additionally, Mark says, as the day wears on, any small delays tend to snowball and you’re much more likely to see a late evening flight delayed: “So, you’re going to travel for holidays or anything like that, don’t take the afternoon flight.
“Get up in the morning… suck it up, take that early morning flight so you have less chance for problems.”
Another one of Mark’s airport secrets is to try to use the loos nearest to the baggage reclaim, because they’re likely to be the cleanest and most pleasant to use.
He explains: “Think about it. When people get off the plane, they want to go to the bathroom right away. So, those bathrooms in the terminals by the busy gates, those get used a lot more than the other ones.
“All of them get cleaned, but the ones that aren’t used as much, they tend to they tend to stay cleaner longer. At baggage claim, no one’s thinking ‘I want to go to the bathroom’. They’re thinking, I want my luggage and I want to go home.’ So that would be a cleaner one to use.”
68 Ryanair passengers missed their flight to Edinburgh from Lanzarote on Monday, reportedly due to issues with the airport’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) used to register third-country nationals including British travellers
A Ryanair flight(Image: PA)
Almost 70 Ryanair passengers missed their flight to Edinburgh from Lanzarote on Monday, reportedly due to delays at border control.
Those travelling back to the Scottish capital were left stranded at Lanzarote Airport on May 4, owing to passport control system failures, with several flights believed to have been affected.
Ryanair confirmed all passengers who presented at the boarding gate before departure were accommodated and travelled without incident.
According to local publication Canarian Weekly, the disruption affected those travelling to destinations outside the European Union, reports Edinburgh Live.
Under the EES, travellers are required to provide biometric data, including fingerprints and a photograph, to establish a digital record valid for three years, replacing the traditional passport stamping system.
The system is intended to streamline passport checks and track how long visa-free travellers remain within the EU, however it has been beset by delays, with lengthy queues reported at passport control across various locations.
Now Lanzarote Airport has become the latest to face disruption. Operations were reportedly thrown into chaos by 11am, “causing delays and confusion in departure areas”. Canarian Weekly reports that the disruption was triggered by “a failure in the passport control system” according to National Police sources, while other sources “suggested a wider disconnection issue across Europe, which slowed systems at multiple airports”. The issue was resolved by midday.
Ryanair has recently pressured EU governments to abandon the EES during the peak travel season, writing to administrations in 29 countries demanding they halt the new entry requirements.
The airline’s chief operations officer Neal McMahon said: “Governments across Europe are attempting to roll out a half-baked IT system in the middle of the busiest travel season of the year, and passengers are paying the price, being forced to endure hours long passport control queues and in some cases, missing flights.
“The solution is simple and already provided for under EU law (EU Reg. 2025/1534) – Governments should suspend EES until September when the peak summer travel season has subsided, just as Greece has done. This would allow passengers – many of whom are travelling with young families – a smoother airport experience for their summer holidays.”
The Spanish National Police Force were contacted for a response.
May 2 (UPI) — The United States has started warning allies that delivery of weapons systems are likely to be delayed because stockpiles have been drained during the war in Iran.
The Department of Defense has warned several allies in Europe — including the United Kingdom, Poland, Norway and Estonia — that there will be delivery delays for several missile systems, Breaking Defense and The Financial Times reported.
The delays, which may also spread to deliveries to Asian allies, have been linked to growing concerns about the numbers of U.S. weapons used since the war in Iran started.
Concerns have also come up as to whether lower stockpiles could affect the United States’ ability to defend itself and its allies.
The Department of Defense already has been relocating weapons from bases in other parts of the world both to the U.S. stockpile and for use in the Iran war, which President Donald Trump noted on Friday.
“All over the world, we have inventory,” he said. “And we can take that if we need it.”
Among the weapons systems that could be affected are the HIMARS and NASAMS missile systems, shortages of which were reported in Estonia and Norway in April.
The president of Finland also said in recent days that some U.S. weapons stockpiles normally stored in the country have been rerouted, which lines up with Trump’s comments yesterday.
In Asia, Japan and South Korea are reportedly bracing for delays beyond the ones it already has not received, including Patriot missile interceptors and Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Delays that have already happened, and the potential for more, could affect foreign nations’ reliance on weapons manufactured by the United States, experts have said.
“Japan already was deeply frustrated with delivery delays for systems they have paid for,” former Pentagon official Christopher Johnstone told the Financial Times.
“This reality will drive Japan, South Korea and other allies to focus more heavily on indigenous and non-American options, even in areas where U.S. equipment is clearly superior,” he said.
The reports of delays come after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday told members of the Senate Arms Services Committee that he is aware of concerns about the stockpile after two months of an intense campaign in Iran.
In response to questions about the Pentagon’s request for a nearly 50% increase in its budget, Hegseth noted that some of the increase is because of weapons used during the war, and that it could take “months and years” to fully replenish the stockpile.
Trump has asked defense companies to “quadruple” their manufacturing pace, but there are limits to how much production can be sped up, according to industry experts.
President Donald Trump signs a series of executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House on Thursday. Trump signed an order to expand workers’ access to retirement accounts. Trump also signed legislation ending a 75-day partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security after the House voted in favor of funding. Photo by Aaron Schwartz/UPI | License Photo
Four UK airports have found themselves in the top 10 of the ‘worst for delays’ across Europe, with one securing the top spot following average delays of almost two hours
Four UK airports have been named among the ‘worst for delays’ across Europe(Image: Getty Images/Stock Image)
A UK airport has been named the ‘worst in Europe’ for delays, while three other UK airports also found themselves in the top 10.
New research from AirAdvisor ranked Manchester Airport as the worst airport in Europe for hour-long flight delays. The airline comparison experts analyzed data from 9,594,711 flights across 46 European airports in 2025 to reveal results based on the percentage of flights delayed by 60 minutes or more (weighted at 70 percent) and the average length of those delays (weighted at 30 percent).
This saw Manchester take the top spot, with 6.16 percent of its flights delayed by 60 minutes or more in 2025 and an average delay of 116.7 minutes, which amounts to almost 2 hours. AirAdvisor AirData found that the routes from Manchester most prone to delays were to Amsterdam Schiphol, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Dublin.
A Manchester Airport spokesperson told The Mirror: “This analysis of the Civil Aviation Authority’s data is misleading as it ignores important context – context which is directly referenced by the CAA in the notes accompanying the research and in the research itself. Punctuality is affected by factors that are outside of an airport’s control. The two most significant factors contributing to delays in the last year have been industrial action affecting air traffic control in Europe, and the weather. These were exacerbated by airspace restrictions above conflict zones meaning airports with significant long-haul networks, like Manchester, were more significantly affected than others.
“As an industry we are working collectively to achieve the best possible on-time departure rates, while protecting flight schedules and avoiding the need for cancellations.”
But it wasn’t just Manchester that found itself named among the worst. Birmingham, London Gatwick, and London Stansted joined the airport, making the UK the most represented country in the top 10.
London Gatwick was ranked the sixth worst in Europe, with a 5.24 percent rate of hour-long delays and an average delay of 111.88 minutes. According to the data, AirAdvisor found that the most impacted routes from Gatwick were to three major holiday hotspots: Barcelona, Malaga, and Lisbon.
In tenth place was Birmingham Airport, after the experts found that it scored a 5.26 percent rate of hour-long delays and an average duration of 108.01 minutes. The most disrupted routes from Birmingham were said to be flying to the popular destinations of Amsterdam, Dublin, and Paris Charles de Gaulle.
A Birmingham Airport spokesperson said: “Flight delays can happen for several reasons including industrial action and bad weather, some of which are out of an airport’s control. This month over half of all aircraft left on time and we continue to work hard to improve punctuality. Our colleagues work tirelessly to provide brilliant passenger service, with the vast majority of people rating their experience as excellent.”
Meanwhile, London Stansted came in joint tenth with Birmingham, after data found that it had a 5.5 percent rate of hour-long delays and an average delay of 106.24 minutes. AirAdvisor said the most delayed routes from Stansted were to Dublin, Edinburgh, and Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen.
A London Stansted Airport spokesperson told the Mirror: “It’s very important to put this analysis into perspective. The data looks at 46 airports but there are more than 340 major airports across Europe, so this represents a small and self-selective sample. This type of analysis of the Civil Aviation Authority’s data is misleading as it ignores important context – context which is directly referenced by the CAA in the notes accompanying the research and in the research itself.
“It should also be noted this research has been produced by a flight compensation company and looks specifically at delays of more than 60 minutes, which are often driven by wider factors such as air traffic restrictions, industrial action, adverse weather impacts and airline operations, airline crew shortages or delays to inbound flights rather than airport performance.
“Like all major airports operating in busy European airspace, punctuality on certain routes can be affected by congestion elsewhere in the network. We continue to work closely with airlines, air traffic control and partners across the aviation system to reduce disruption and keep journeys running as smoothly as possible for passengers.”
London Gatwick has been contacted by The Mirror for a comment.
Top 10 worst airports in Europe for long delays
Manchester, UK
Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Kraków Balice, Poland
Nice Côte d’Azur, France
Bucharest Henri Coandă, Romania
London Gatwick, UK
Porto, Portugal
Marseille Provence, France
Birmingham, UK
London Stansted, UK
Birmingham, London Gatwick, and London Stansted were contacted for comment.
Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com
Passport holders have been urged to change a key phone setting before they arrive at airports to travel. Failing to do so could see them facing delays in queues
Passport holders have been told to change a phone setting (stock image)(Image: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
We all love jetting off abroad at this time of year, but sometimes making simple mistakes at the airport can lead to risking delays in queues. While many people worry about their clothing, and what they have packed in their cases, something they should actually be paying more attention to is their mobile phones.
Little you may know, using a certain setting can actually lead to people spending more time in queues at security, and delaying their travel journey. Nobody wants to have to face lengthy queues when they start their holiday so an expert has shared some key travel tips to help passport holders out.
You may not realise, but a dim screen is one of the most common reasons boarding passes fail to scan at the gate. Experts say a few simple phone tweaks before you leave home can save serious stress on travel day, and the changes take seconds to complete.
According to William Thackray, IT expert at AGT Computer Services, a dim screen is one of the most frequent and easily avoidable causes of delay at airport security and boarding gates.
He said: “Scanners need a clear, bright image to read a barcode or QR code reliably. In bright airport lighting, a screen that’s sitting at its default brightness – or that’s been dimmed to save battery – can cause a failed scan.
“It sounds trivial, but it holds up the queue and it’s completely avoidable.”
What you need to do
Before you leave the house, drag your screen brightness to maximum. On an iPhone, swipe down from the top right corner to access the Control Centre and pull the brightness slider to the top. For Android, swipe down from the top of the screen and do the same.
While you’re at it, William recommends a few other quick changes that can make the whole airport experience smoother. To begin, he said it’s a good idea to screenshot your boarding pass.
Don’t rely on an app that needs a signal or a Wi-Fi connection to load. A screenshot lives on your phone and opens instantly.
He said it’s also a good idea to turn off auto-lock. If your screen goes dark mid-queue, you’ll be unlocking your phone and re-opening your boarding pass with a line of people behind you.
Go to Settings > Display and bump your screen timeout up to at least two to three minutes before you travel. This could make a big difference.
You should also make sure your phone is fully charged. It sounds obvious, but some airports – especially when travelling to the US – can ask you to power up your device at security.
A dead phone can mean real delays, or worse, having your device taken for additional screening. William added: “None of these things take more than a minute to sort before you leave the house.
“But, on a busy travel day, that one minute of prep can be the difference between breezing through and being that person holding everyone up.”
A skincare expert has shared which beauty products are likely to cause problems at airport security due to hand luggage liquid rules – and how to avoid any hold-ups
Certain products can cause delays(Image: PoppyPixels via Getty Images)
With summer getaways fast approaching, countless holidaymakers are gearing up to travel overseas. As skincare continues to surge in popularity, many will be packing their creams and serums – yet skincare specialists are cautioning that transporting these products can prove more complicated than anticipated.
Skincare specialist Rhysa Phommachanh explained: “Many travellers are now packing full skincare routines in their hand luggage, but it can be confusing knowing which products are allowed. As a general rule, if a product can be spread, rubbed, or sprayed, it will usually fall under airport liquid restrictions.”
For instance, numerous skincare products nowadays appear as jellies, balms and sticks.
All of these are classified as liquids by airport security, as are sheet masks and eye patches.
Failing to adhere to airport security regulations could result in travel disruptions or having your belongings seized.
To conserve luggage space, travellers sometimes transfer larger items into smaller containers to meet requirements.
Nevertheless, these unidentified containers can prompt queries at security and trigger manual inspections, which can prove time-consuming.
It’s also probable that any pressurised containers such as facial mists, setting sprays or spray sunscreens will require manual examination and slow down security lines.
It is crucial to familiarise yourself with the regulations at each airport you pass through, as updated liquid rules are gradually being introduced across the country.
Restrictions may vary from one airport to another, so ensure you are fully aware of the specific guidelines before you board your flight.
When it comes to skincare, a minimalist approach often yields the best results.
As reported by the Express, Rhysa said: “A more simplified approach tends to work best for long-haul travel.
“Basic essentials such as lip balm, a lightweight moisturiser, or a facial mist are usually more than enough to maintain hydration without overwhelming the skin barrier.”
The country has chosen to abandon the new biometric security measures over concerns about queue chaos and flights taking off without passengers
07:21, 20 Apr 2026Updated 07:45, 20 Apr 2026
The new entry and exit system (EES) has led to huge delays for passengers, with some missing flights(Image: Getty)
Greece has suspended EU fingerprint and facial scans for British holidaymakers. The country has chosen to abandon the new biometric security measures over concerns about queue chaos sweeping across the continent. Queues have been hitting the country with four hours reported in many destinations, including Greece.
All travellers from the UK and other non-EU countries are supposed to be photographed and fingerprinted at EU airports and border crossings under the new entry and exit system (EES) introduced by Brussels.
Holidaymakers have been cautioned that the new security measure, which is now fully operational, could trigger airport delays of up to four hours. Eleni Skarveli, director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation in the UK, stressed that the decision would “ensure a smoother and more efficient arrival experience in Greece” and would “significantly reduce waiting times” while alleviating congestion at airports.
The EES is intended to replace manual passport stamping and better monitor the 90-day visa-free limit, but its introduction has caused havoc at some of Europe’s busiest airports.
A statement on the website of the Greek Embassy and posts on official social media channels said: “Update for British passport holders travelling to Greece. “In the framework of the implementation of the Entry/Exit System, as of 10 April 2026, British passport holders are exempt from biometric registration at Greek border crossing points.”
There was no further detail of how long the exemption would last, and FCDO travel advice for Greece has not been updated.
“Abta has been warning destinations and the (European) Commission for some time about the need for proactive steps to be taken to avoid delays, including the full use of contingency measures to stand down biometric checks at busier times, and adequate staffing especially at peak times.”
A total of 122 passengers were reportedly unable to board the flight from Milan Linate to Manchester on Sunday because of delays at passport desks caused by the ramp up of the EU’s Entry Exist System (EES).The 11am departure was held for 59 minutes before departing with the majority of seats empty.
One of the affected easyJet passengers, Kiera, 17, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, said she and her boyfriend arrived at Milan Linate airport at 7.30am on Sunday. She told the BBC: “We got to Border Control and it was a massive queue of people. I wasn’t feeling great anyway because I think I’d got food poisoning.
“At about 10.50am they brought some water over for people, and when we got to the front of the queue someone asked us if we were going to Manchester, and told us our flight had just gone.”
Vicky Chapman, 26, from Wirral, Merseyside, was booked on the flight with her family, including her five-year-old son.
She told the Liverpool Echo they arrived at the airport “with more than enough time” but were “refused entry through passport control”.
She continued: “We were then told that we are a ‘no show’ on our flight because we did not get to the gate on time, even though passport control had issues and they would not let us through.
“We were passed from pillar to post for three hours and no-one helped us. “It was so hot in the airport, people were vomiting, people were almost passing out.
“We’re being told that Tuesday is the earliest we can get back, and that we have to fly to Gatwick. We’ve had to pay out of pocket for an Airbnb.”
An easyJet spokesman said: “Due to delays in EES processing by border authorities, some passengers departing from Milan Linate on Sunday experienced very long waiting times at passport control.
“We held flight EJU5420 from Milan to Manchester for nearly an hour to give passengers extra time but it had to then depart due to crew reaching their safety regulated operating hours.
“Customers who missed the flight have been offered a free flight transfer.
“We continue to urge border authorities to ensure they make full and effective use of the permitted flexibilities, for as long as needed while EES is implemented, to avoid these unacceptable border delays for our customers.
“While this is outside of our control, we are sorry for any inconvenience caused.”
Of the 156 passengers reportedly booked on the return flight to Manchester, just 34 made it on board – leaving a staggering 122 stranded in Italy. EasyJet subsequently issued an apology over the incident.
At three of the UK’s “juxtaposed” border controls in Dover, Folkestone and London St Pancras, the pricey EES kiosks remain unconnected to the French police aux frontières IT system. These issues are not expected to be resolved until September, according to the Independent.
Greece is heavily dependent on British tourism, particularly at its bustling island hotspots such as Corfu, Crete and Rhodes, which can welcome upwards of 2,000 UK passengers daily during peak season.
The decision by Athens is widely regarded as a move to offer reassurance to British holidaymakers, and could encourage other Mediterranean nations to follow its lead. Greece is yet to confirm an end date. for its EES exemption for British travellers.
Holidaymakers are already considering switching their summer holiday plans this year, according to travel industry experts.
“Because of the war in the Middle East, Europe is seeing a big increase in interest as a holiday destination this year,” an ABTA spokesman said.
ABTA added that Greece was anticipated to be the fifth most-visited destination by Britons this summer, trailing behind Spain, France, Italy and the USA.
The spokesman said: “I think it’s too early to say what this change might mean for the number of people visiting, particularly as decisions on where to go are based on a number of factors.”
It’s thought travellers now weighing up a continental break may pivot towards Greece to sidestep potential headaches caused by the new scheme. “Greece for me this summer then, was thinking of Tenerife, but no way I’m putting up with those queues and chaos,” one man posted on X.
Another person added: “I work in the travel industry, already had customers worried about this new system believe me, Greece will benefit from this stand!” While a third chimed in: “Perfect – off to the Greek islands this summer – common sense prevails!”
Jang Dong-hyeok (L), chief of the main opposition People Power Party, speaks during a meeting of the party’s Supreme Council at the National Assembly in Seoul, 02 February 2026. Photo by YONHAP / EPA
April 17 (Asia Today) — Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of South Korea’s main opposition People Power Party, has delayed his return from a U.S. visit by three days at the request of U.S. officials, party aides said Thursday.
Park Jun-tae, Jang’s chief of staff, told reporters at the National Assembly that Jang had originally planned to return later in the day but would now arrive early Sunday.
“While heading to the airport for departure procedures, special circumstances arose, leading to an extension of his schedule,” Park said.
The delay was made at the request of officials from the U.S. Department of State, Park added. He said speculation about possible meetings with Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio remained unconfirmed.
Some members of Jang’s delegation have already returned to South Korea, while others remain in the United States.
Jang departed for Washington on April 11 and was initially scheduled to return Friday via Incheon International Airport.
During the visit, he met with U.S. lawmakers including Bill Hagerty and delivered a speech at the International Republican Institute, where he emphasized the U.S.-South Korea alliance.
He also criticized the South Korean government’s policy toward North Korea, arguing it prioritizes dialogue over deterrence and risks weakening trust in the alliance. Jang called for “peace through strength” to counter North Korea’s nuclear threat.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis makes remarks at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on January 8, 2025. On Wednesday, he delayed plans for the state legislature to hold a special session to redraw the state’s congressional districts. File Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
April 16 (UPI) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has delayed a special session he called for the state legislature to work on redrawing the state’s U.S. congressional districts.
The session was scheduled to take place next week, but DeSantis said Wednesday it would now happen on April 28 to give the governor’s office more time to work on its proposal, The New York Times reported.
He also called legislators back to work to vote on a bill to give parents more freedom to opt out of giving their children school-mandated vaccines and one to protect minors from artificial intelligence, Politico reported. DeSantis called on lawmakers to return to Tallahassee from April 28 to May 1.
DeSantis issued a proclamation in January calling for the special session to reconsider the state’s congressional map.
“Every Florida resident deserves to be represented fairly and constitutionally,” he said at the time.
DeSantis said the redistricting would better ensure that race was not a predominant factor in determining congressional districts. He referenced a Supreme Court case in which Louisiana lawmakers were accused of creating a congressional district comprising mostly racial minorities.
Florida has 28 seats in the U.S. House, gaining one in 2022 after the 2020 census. Republicans hold 20 seats and Democrats have 8.
First lady Melania Trump speaks during a House Ways and Means Committee roundtable discussion on protecting children in America’s foster care system in the Longworth House Office Building near the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. The bipartisan group of lawmakers are looking to address challenges children in foster care face, including barriers to education and educational advocacy, housing, employment opportunities, financial independence, and technology. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
Many passengers are facing waits of up to three hours at Spanish airports due to the new controls
Robert Rowlands Deputy editor, money and lifestyle, content hub and Maria Ortega
16:02, 16 Apr 2026
(Image: Bloomberg, Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Travellers in Spain are experiencing significant delays at airports. And experts are warning that one particular group is bearing the brunt of new border controls, according to a Spanish travel organisation.
There have been widespread reports of waiting times of up to three hours. New regulations have been introduced, with some passengers in particular facing very long waits.
Spanish media reports indicate waiting times of up to three hours at Palma airport alone, with similar delays reported in France, Greece, Italy and beyond. Travel group Aviba is now calling for urgent measures to prevent chaos this coming summer.
Pedro Fiol, president of the travel association, is demanding immediate action to avert disruption this summer, and has revealed he has been pushing for such measures for months, according to Ultimata Hora. The new system has only just been introduced, having fully launched on April 10, following a trial period that began late last year.
The EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) initially began operations on 12 October 2025, with a phased rollout across 29 European countries. Now it is fully in place.
The system replaces passport stamping with digitally recorded entries, exits or refusals of entry of non-EU nationals arriving for short stays. Travellers’ facial images, fingerprints and personal data from the travel document will also be recorded.
Mr Fiol said: “The implementation of the new European Border and Security System (EES) is already beginning to be felt at the Balearic airports, especially at Son Sant Joan, the main gateway to Mallorca, where we are still operating with a hybrid model. At certain times, it is causing some slowdowns in the controls, particularly for non-EU passengers.”
He warned that “we are facing a structural change in how borders are managed across Europe: biometric registration is replacing manual passport stamping, and this means more time for the passenger’s first contact with their destination.” In his view, so far “the experience has been inconsistent: some days the operation runs relatively smoothly, while others, according to agencies and tour operators, can take more than two hours from the moment the plane lands until the traveller collects their luggage, and even nearly three hours in some specific cases.”
Ultima Hora reports that the National Police have acknowledged the delays, though they say they have seen no evidence of prolonged hold-ups. Sources close to the security forces have told Spanish media that additional staff have been deployed during peak hours in a bid to ease any difficulties that may occur during periods of heavy passenger congestion at checkpoints.
Travellers passing through airports in countries including France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain and Greece are facing waits of several hours at border controls, according to the Airports Council International (ACI). Olivier Jankovec, the director of the ACI European division, told the Financial Times: “This situation, in the coming weeks and certainly over the peak summer months, is going to be simply unmanageable.
“We are seeing those queueing times now, at peak times, when traffic is just starting to build up.” A spokesperson for the European Commission told the Guardian: “What we can see from the first days of full operation is that the system is working very well. In the overwhelming majority of member states there are no issues.”
The commission said that the average registration of a passenger was 70 seconds, although the ACI has claimed that it can take up to five minutes. The spokesperson said there were a “few member states where technical issues have been detected” but that they “are being addressed”.
They said: “It is up to member states to ensure the proper implementation of the EES on the ground.” Luke Fitzpatrick, from independent travel agency Perfect Getaways, told the BBC this week that travellers should plan ahead to make border checks as smooth as possible.
“It’s about being as prepared as you can be,” Fitzpatrick told BBC Radio Merseyside. “There is a lot of uncertainty at the moment as people are getting used to the new system.”
While he said the advice was to arrive at the airport “at least three hours early”, he said it could be more difficult for people booked on a package holiday. “If you’re on a shared transfer back, everyone’s coming together at the same time,” he said.
EES changes and the impact on transfer and pick-ups
Pedro Fiol told Ultima Hora that “this situation is forcing a restructuring of transfer and pick-up operations at destinations to better co-ordinate exact times, avoid additional downtime, and guarantee the smoothest possible service.” Given this situation, he says that “travel agencies are concerned that if resources are not properly allocated at airports with such high tourist pressure as those in the Balearic Islands, significant queues and a negative first experience for visitors are possible.”
What do Brit tourists need to do with EES rules?
The govuk website states that “if you are travelling to a country in the Schengen area for a short stay using a UK passport, you may be required to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo, when you arrive. You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border, and there is no cost for EES registration.
“EES registration is replacing the current system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the EU. EES may take each passenger extra time to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border.”
The countries in the Schengen area are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
