Concerns Over EU's Entry-Exit System Keep Airport Leaders Awake
People queue at passport control in Milan Bergamo on 16 April
The president of Europe's airports lobby group has expressed serious concerns about the European Union's recently implemented digital border control system, stating that the issues it causes are causing him and other industry leaders significant worry.
Earlier this year, the EU completed the deployment of its Entry-Exit System (EES), which mandates that travellers from outside the EU register biometric data upon entering most European countries. This data is then verified when they depart.
While the EES has functioned effectively in some member states, it has also been linked to substantial delays at various airports, resulting in some passengers missing their flights.
Stefan Schulte, president of ACI Europe and chief executive of the company operating Frankfurt Airport, stated at an industry event in Prague:
"Passengers are queueing for hours at peak traffic times and I just do not know how we will be able to cope in the coming weeks with the expected increase in traffic."
"Politicians should stop pretending... that EES is working just fine. It is not."
The BBC has reached out to the European Commission, which manages the EES, for comment.
Holiday Travel Delays Linked to New Border Controls
Earlier this month, dozens of Ryanair passengers were stranded in Athens after their flight to London Luton departed without them. Ryanair attributed the incident to border delays, while Athens airport cited congestion related to "additional processing requirements," though neither party explicitly confirmed EES as the cause.
This incident adds to previous cases since the EES implementation. In April, passengers scheduled to fly from Milan Bergamo and Milan Linate to Manchester also missed flights due to passport control issues.
The EES requires most travellers from outside the European Economic Area to provide biometric data, including facial scans and fingerprints, which are checked each time they cross Schengen zone borders.
Wizz Air has advised British holidaymakers to arrive at European airports three hours before departure to accommodate lengthy queues caused by the new border checks.
Calls for Flexibility and Process Review
Schulte emphasized the need for urgent changes, stating:
"We urgently need full flexibility for border control authorities to suspend the EES whenever needed to avoid further chaos – along with a rethink of those processes."
"This is about showing respect and decency for those who chose to travel to the EU, and safeguarding our reputation as a welcoming and efficient destination."
Earlier this year, Greece's tourism minister expressed a desire to avoid burdening visitors with bureaucratic procedures when entering or leaving the country. Olga Kefalogianni assured that British passengers would not face biometric checks when travelling to Greece this summer.
However, the situation remains uncertain following a statement from the Greek Foreign Ministry denying any exemption existed.
Reports also surfaced that Portugal and Italy were considering exempting British nationals from EES checks at their airports, but the European Commission has stated no such plans are currently in place.
