Jet2 issues Greece travel ‘suspension’ update for UK passengers | Travel News | Travel
Jet2 praised Greek authorities for the decision (Image: Getty)
Popular airline Jet2 has released a new ‘suspended’ Greece holiday update for passengers. The company published an announcement on its website on Tuesday, April 28, for passengers who have booked flights and holidays to European destinations.
In the announcement, Jet2 praised Greek authorities for “putting customers first” by suspending the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) checks. It comes after the country confirmed the suspension of EES biometric checks for British holidaymakers traveling to Greece.
As summer approaches, Jet2 confirmed it is working closely with authorities in multiple destinations to explore pausing EES checks until the system is fully operational. The new EES has faced severe criticism since its launch in April 2026, with reports of travel disruptions, long queues and missed flights particularly affecting British travellers. Mirror.
Jet2 said it had written to authorities, including those in Greece, and lobbied extensively to delay the implementation of the EES. In the update for British passport holders traveling to Greece, the Greek embassy stated that “As of April 10, 2026, British passport holders are exempt from biometric registration at Greek border crossing points.”
Jet2 says this decision is expected to significantly improve the arrival and departure experience. The airline has a large number of flights and holidays at 15 Greek airports this summer, providing passengers with more than 3.5 million seats.
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Jet2 CEO Steve Heapy said: “We applaud the Greek authorities for acting in the best interests of UK holidaymakers. Our customers work hard and save money for their holidays and we will always do everything we can to ensure they have the best experience when they travel with us.”
“We believe that pausing EES checks until the systems and processes are ready will result in a much better experience for our customers, and we are pleased to see that the Greek authorities agree. We expect a rapid response in terms of holiday demand to Greece as a result of this move, and we urge other countries to follow this common sense approach and prioritize holidaymakers.”
Andreas Fiorentinos, Secretary General of the Greek National Tourist Organisation, said: “Following Jet2’s recent announcement welcoming Greece’s decision to temporarily suspend biometric checks on British passengers under the EES system, Greece reaffirms its commitment to providing a seamless and visitor-friendly travel experience. Tourism remains a top priority for the government and a key pillar of the Greek economy.”
“We owe special thanks to Foreign Secretary George Gerapetritis for his prompt and effective intervention in helping to effectively implement procedures for visitors from the UK. Holidaymakers from the UK are vital to Greek tourism and facilitating their travel to Greece remains a strategic priority for the country.”
Last week Jet2 became the first UK airline and tour operator to confirm it will not impose surcharges on flights or holidays booked to cover cost increases such as jet fuel. He assured customers that the price they book with Jet2 will be the price they will pay.
In an industry-leading move, Jet2 has confirmed it is removing the surcharge provision on all flights and holidays, despite saying it had never introduced it before.
The European Union’s (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) launched on 12 October 2025. This is a new digital border system that changes the requirements for British citizens traveling to the Schengen area.
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.
Since the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus are not within the Schengen area, EES does not apply when traveling to either country.
if you are Traveling to a country in the Schengen area For a short stay using a UK passport, you may need to record your biometric information such as fingerprints and photographs when you arrive. You do not need to take any action before reaching the border and there is no fee for EES registration.
EES registration replaces the current system where passports are manually stamped on arrival in the EU. EES may take extra time for each traveler to complete, so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border.
