The Environment Agency has completed its policy update for UK ETS and CORSIA enforcement. The outcome matters less for passengers than for aviation operators and compliance teams that need a clearer view of how climate penalties may be applied.
From late 2026, travellers from visa-exempt countries will need ETIAS approval to enter most European countries. Here’s what you need to know.
In August 2024, European Commissioner Ylva Johansson confirmed that the Entry/Exit System was on track for a November 2024 start, with ETIAS to follow six months later. This article reflects the reporting at that time — note that the EES eventually launched in October 2025 and the ETIAS fee was confirmed at €20, not the €7 cited here.
The EU’s long-planned Entry/Exit System is meant to modernize border control, but travel industry groups say uncertainty, weak public awareness and operational risks could still delay the rollout and disrupt tourism.
The EU Council has decided to temporarily suspend certain elements of the EU visa code for Ethiopian nationals in response to insufficient readmission cooperation.
When ETIAS starts, airlines and sea carriers will need to confirm that visa-exempt passengers hold a valid authorisation before departure. Coach operators have a longer transition, but travellers across all modes can still face boarding refusals or border checks if ETIAS is missing.
When ETIAS starts, airlines and sea carriers will need to confirm that visa-exempt passengers hold a valid authorisation before departure. Coach operators have a longer transition, but travellers across all modes can still face boarding refusals or border checks if ETIAS is missing.
In February 2024, IATA described EES and ETIAS as a major operational change for airlines, not just a policy update for travellers. The industry body focused on system scope, manual checks and transition periods that could complicate boarding decisions.
Passengers arriving in the UK may soon pass border control without showing a passport, as airports prepare to deploy facial recognition technology designed to make arrivals faster and more seamless.
In late 2023, airlines and travel insiders warned that switching on the EU's Entry/Exit System everywhere at the same time could create serious operational strain. The debate focused on testing gaps, border readiness and what biometric processing would mean for British travellers.