- The Port of Dover expects its busiest May half-term in years, attributed partly to travellers switching from air to ferry due to geopolitical concerns.
- Peak travel for motorists heading to France is forecast for Saturday 23 May, between 5am and 1pm, with around 8,000 cars anticipated.
- A major challenge is the EU Entry-Exit System (EES), which, despite a new £40m registration area, is not fully operational for private cars due to French IT issues.
- Currently, French officials are creating EES profiles at border control, extending processing time per vehicle from one minute to 90 seconds, potentially causing significant congestion.
- Port officials are advocating for the activation of 84 registration kiosks and a pre-travel app, and are seeking a relaxation of EES requirements during busy periods to maintain smooth traffic flow.
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