Brits heading abroad this Easter are being warned of airport delays of up to four hours. It comes as the new entry/exit system (EES) comes into full effect across European airports.

The new digital border system, rolled out across 29 airports since last October, has changed the requirements for British tourists travelling to the Schengen area. They are now required to register biometric details at border control, including photographs and fingerprints. Officials will also check for proof of accommodation, medical insurance and a return ticket. UK residents without the right to work or live in the EU are restricted to a stay of 90 days in any 180-day period under the post-Brexit rules.

The new system is set to be fully implemented at airports across Europe by April 10. It is likely to cause bottlenecks at the gates as passengers without EU passports will be required to have their fingerprints and pictures taken.

Airports Council International (ACI) said: "The latest data collected from airports across Europe shows a continued deterioration in waiting times at border crossing points located in airports. Waiting times are now regularly reaching up to two hours at peak traffic times, with some airports reporting even longer queues."

It added: "With the next critical milestones approaching - namely the requirement to register 100 per cent of third-country nationals as of 31 March, followed by the end of the transition period on 9 April - airports and airlines warn that the situation risks deteriorating further.

"From that point onwards, member states will no longer be able to fully suspend the system in response to operational pressures, removing a key safeguard currently used to manage peak demand."

The new system will register the traveller's name, biometric data and the date and place of entry and exit. Statistics from the rollout so far have revealed that waiting times at the border have increased by up to 70%.

The Home Office has warned of queues of 2 to 4 hours at some destinations from April 3. Delays of similar times have already been reported this week.

Aviation bodies are also warning of delays of up to 4 hours across Europe as the EES system is enforced. In a letter to Magnus Brunner, the EU commissioner for internal affairs and migration, ACI Europe, lata, and A4E said: "Failing immediate action to provide sufficient flexibility, severe disruptions over the peak summer months are a real prospect, with queues potentially reaching four hours or more."

They added: "There is a complete disconnect between the perception of the EU institutions that EES is working well, and the reality, which is that nonEU travellers are experiencing massive delays and inconvenience. "This must come to an end immediately. We need to be realistic about what will happen during the peak summer months, when traffic at Europe's airports doubles.'"