UK-EU breakthrough will allow airport-style checks at Eurotunnel to avoid border ‘chaos’

Eurotunnel owner Getlink aims to replicate the streamlined "airport experience" at its Folkestone and Calais terminals, in an effort to eliminate border congestion and the chaos that often ensues. The European Commission has approved the implementation of advanced camera systems, similar to those used in Rome and Paris airports, to oversee the fingerprinting and facial imaging processes at the UK-France border.

Yann Leriche, CEO of Getlink, revealed that the company had attempted to emulate the "airport experience" but sought to go beyond traditional methods, with passengers remaining in their vehicles for biometric scanning at special drive-through terminals. Both the UK and France have deployed 120 kiosks equipped with eagle-eye cameras, which will be monitored by police, akin to e-gates at airports.

The Entry and Exit System (EES) mandates that all third-country citizens, including British passport holders, provide fingerprints and facial images upon entering and exiting the Schengen area, but the system has been delayed due to technical issues. Leriche expressed his frustration with the bureaucratic hurdles, stating that previous attempts to implement the system using tablets or by requiring passengers to exit their vehicles had proven problematic.

The trial of the eagle-eye camera system will last two years, with Eurotunnel hopefuls that it will become permanent if it proves effective.