Travel column with Katie Butler of Total Travel: Easing into Europe's new border system
You have probably heard about the European Union's new Entry/Exit System (EES), which has been gradually introduced to replace the traditional passport stamping process for travellers from the UK and other non-EU countries.
The system records your passport details, takes a photograph and scans your fingerprints the first time you enter the Schengen Area. Future visits should be quicker, with automated gates recognising your details.
While it sounds straightforward, there have been concerns that the additional checks could create lengthy queues at some of Europe's busiest airports. Those concerns have prompted several countries to temporarily suspend parts of the system during the busy summer season.
Greece announced earlier this year that it would pause the full implementation of EES over the peak holiday period, and now Rome's airports have followed suit.
Having travelled through Malaga Airport only last week, I was keen to see first-hand how the process was working at one of Spain's busiest holiday airports. I have to admit, I came away pleasantly surprised.
On arrival it was simply a case of scanning my passport, looking into a camera and placing my right-hand fingerprints onto the scanner. Although the queues initially looked quite long, they moved steadily and efficiently.
Flying home was equally straightforward. Passports were scanned before security, and then, as many travellers will already know, checked again at the departure gate before boarding. It's worth remembering this, especially if you've settled down with a drink or something to eat before your flight!
The only slight delay came when one member of our group struggled to position her passport correctly on the scanner. The instructions on the machine could certainly be a little clearer, and I can easily see how small hold-ups like this quickly add to waiting times. I suspect it will simply become easier with familiarity.
There will undoubtedly be some busy days where queues are longer, particularly while many travellers are still experiencing it for the first time, but based on my own experience I don't think there's any need for holidaymakers to be overly concerned. Overall, I was impressed.
Away from airports, my weekend in Puerto Banús was every bit as enjoyable as expected. Sunshine, great company and, unsurprisingly, the designer boutiques seemed to enjoy a successful weekend too!
Looking at new bookings from the past week, it's clear that many people are still making the most of late availability. Late bookings accounted for 41 per cent of all holidays booked. July remains the most popular month for departures, accounting for 20 per cent of bookings, while August and September are currently tied in second place with 13 per cent each. As for destinations, Majorca continues to top the list, followed by Antalya in Turkey and Dalaman completing the top three.
It certainly looks like another busy summer ahead, and hopefully, as more travellers become familiar with the new border procedures, the journey will become just as smooth as the holiday itself.