European airports are bracing for a tumultuous summer travel season as the rollout of the Entry-Exit System (EES) threatens to cause significant delays at border crossings. With the potential for lengthy queues and a chaotic passenger experience, industry experts are urging the European Commission to intervene and mitigate the impact of these new biometric checks.
Concerns Over Delays Amid EES Implementation
Air travel leaders across the continent are voicing alarm over the implications of the EES, which requires biometric data collection from most non-EU visitors, including British holidaymakers. Under the new system, travellers will be photographed, fingerprinted, and registered upon entry into the Schengen Area. The phased introduction of EES began in October, yet reports of long waits have already surfaced, with some airports experiencing delays of up to three hours.
Olivier Jankovec, director general of Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, highlighted the chronic understaffing at border control as a persisting issue exacerbated by the EES implementation. He noted, “Even with only 35% of incoming passengers currently being registered, we are witnessing queues extending to two hours. This situation is unsustainable and could worsen as we approach peak travel months.”
Calls for Contingency Measures
The UK travel association, Abta, is advocating for the European Union to ensure that member states employ contingency measures to alleviate potential delays. Abta’s chief executive, Mark Tanzer, has reached out to EU Commissioner for Migration, Magnus Brunner, to encourage the deployment of additional border staff during high-traffic periods. Tanzer expressed frustration that while border authorities have the capacity to ease congestion, this flexibility is not being uniformly applied.
Jankovec warned of a possible worst-case scenario where queues could stretch to five hours during the busiest travel months of July and August, which would severely compromise passenger safety and experience.
Infrastructure Readiness and Local Challenges
Many border facilities were reportedly prepared for the EES ahead of its launch, including those at Eurotunnel in Folkestone and Eurostar’s London St Pancras station. However, the majority of visitors to the 29 countries implementing EES will likely complete the registration process upon arrival, leading to further bottlenecks.
Reports from Lisbon indicated a staggering seven-hour wait time at the airport just before New Year, prompting local authorities to suspend the EES temporarily. Compounding these issues, many self-service kiosks meant for EES registration have faced operational difficulties, and only Sweden has permitted the use of a pre-registration app for travellers.
The Path Forward
While the European Commission has indicated that contingency measures could be available for up to 90 days post-April deadline, uncertainty remains regarding any extensions or the conditions necessary for suspending the EES. Jankovec remarked that while short-term fixes may be implemented for the summer, a more coordinated European response is essential for long-term effectiveness.
In the UK, Eurotunnel has begun a phased rollout of the EES for specific passenger categories but awaits further guidance from French authorities regarding tourist vehicle registrations. Meanwhile, Eurostar has invested significantly in new kiosks at St Pancras, although these are yet to be activated pending software readiness and official directives.
Why it Matters
The introduction of the EES marks a significant shift in European travel protocols, with the potential to reshape the passenger experience at borders. As the summer travel season approaches, the need for a balanced approach that prioritises security while ensuring smooth passage for millions of travellers is critical. Failure to address these challenges could not only hamper tourism but also damage the broader reputation of European air travel during peak periods.
