Birmingham Airport to Increase Fast Track Service Price to £20 Starting July 2024

Birmingham Airport Fast Track Service Price Increase

Beginning July 1, 2024, Birmingham Airport will increase the cost of its Premium Arrivals Fast Track service from £7 to £20. This service allows passengers arriving at Birmingham Airport (BHX) to bypass standard queues and gain expedited access to passport control via a separate lane. The move aims to alleviate congestion, notably during peak times.

Vouchers for the Fast Track service must be pre-booked online at least 24 hours before arrival, as they are non-refundable and non-transferable. The service, subject to availability, limits ticket sales to 50 per hour to maintain wait times between five to 15 minutes. Children can use the service but require separate bookings.

The airport also offers an Express Lane for departures, costing £5 per person online or £7.50 on the day.

New EU Entry/Exit System for UK Tourists

Starting October 6, 2024, the European Union will implement a new Entry/Exit System (EES) for travelers from non-EU countries, including the UK. This new system will replace manual passport stamping with electronic registrations involving fingerprint scans and photographs.

Concerns have been raised by travel agents and industry professionals about potential travel disruptions. The UK Department for Transport is coordinating with the European Commission and local authorities to minimize disturbances.

The new system will initially apply to air travelers, with specific challenges expected at ports like Dover. The EES is expected to significantly impact travel logistics, with additional checks necessary for ferry and international train passengers.

Another system, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), aimed at identifying security risks, is set to be introduced in mid-2025.