Summary
A new EU entry-exit system (EES) has caused long wait times of up to three hours at border checks in several European airports. The system requires non-EU travelers to register personal and biometric data, leading to delays and operational challenges since its full launch in April.
Key Facts
- The EES started fully operating on April 10 in Schengen countries, which include most EU states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
- Non-EU passengers, like those from the UK, must now provide personal and biometric information at borders.
- Some airports in France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Greece report waiting times of up to three hours or more.
- The Airports Council International (ACI) warns that delays might get worse during summer travel peaks and asked the EU to allow suspensions of the EES in extreme cases.
- The European Commission says the system works well in most countries, with an average registration time of 70 seconds, but admits some technical problems are being fixed.
- Since October, the system registered over 52 million entries and exits and denied entry to about 27,000 people, including nearly 700 considered a security threat.
- Airlines like Ryanair report severe delays, with queues up to four hours, and have called for postponing the system’s full use until October.
- Delays with EES add to airport challenges amid concerns about potential jet fuel shortages in Europe due to global supply issues.
