As summer approaches, anxiety is building over potential travel chaos at European borders, primarily due to the introduction of new biometric checks. Leaders within the travel sector are urging the European Commission to instruct all border control authorities to halt the implementation of the new Entry-Exit System (EES) if necessary to prevent disruptions that could mar the travel experience this summer.
Many European airports are warning that travelers might face a "catastrophic" experience with extensive waiting times unless some leniency is applied to these biometric checks for international visitors. For the majority of British tourists heading to Europe, this means they will have to undergo fingerprinting, be photographed, and register their information upon arrival. Since the initial rollout of the system in October, UK businesses have noted significant inconsistencies in how these regulations have been enforced across different locations.
The staggered launch has already resulted in lengthy lines at several European airports, despite the fact that border officials can choose to ease the strict requirements. Currently, only a minimum of 35% of travelers need to be registered, but from April 10 onward, all arriving passengers are expected to comply with EES registration.
Border agencies have the authority to modify the frequency or intensity of these checks, or even suspend the system altogether, to mitigate severe delays and long queues. Many border crossings were equipped with the necessary EES infrastructure well ahead of the official launch last October, including locations in the UK such as Eurotunnel in Folkestone and Eurostar’s St Pancras International station in London.
However, most travelers arriving in the 29 countries implementing the EES will likely need to provide their information at border control as they land. The trade organization Airports Council International (ACI) has reported that the system is currently causing delays of up to three hours, particularly affecting airports in Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy.
Olivier Jankovec, the director general of ACI Europe, commented on the situation, stating, "The ongoing shortage of border control staff was already a concern, and the introduction of EES is exacerbating the issue. Even with just 35% of arrivals being registered, we are witnessing queues extending up to two hours. This situation is not sustainable, and we fear it may worsen as we approach the peak travel months."
He expressed particular concern about the months of July and August when passenger traffic is expected to double, potentially leading to wait times of up to five hours. This scenario raises serious concerns about passenger satisfaction, safety, and possible missed connecting flights.
The UK's travel association, Abta, is calling on the EU to ensure that all member states and their border authorities are instructing their personnel to implement contingency plans aimed at reducing wait times at passport control. Mark Tanzer, Abta’s chief executive, has reached out to the EU's commissioner for migration, Magnus Brunner, urging him to maintain oversight of the system and advocate for additional border staff during peak periods.
Tanzer remarked, "The ambitious nature of a project like EES meant that it was bound to have its challenges, and we were prepared for some hiccups. However, what is frustrating is that border agencies possess the authority to alleviate these long queues and address issues as they surface, yet this doesn't appear to be happening consistently."
Recently, a spokesperson for the commission indicated that contingency measures would remain available for a minimum of 90 days following the April deadline, suggesting a possible extension of an additional six weeks to accommodate the summer rush. However, Jankovec noted that airports had not received formal confirmation about whether the ability to suspend EES would be extended or the specific conditions under which that would occur.
At Lisbon airport, for example, wait times had reached seven hours just before New Year's, prompting Portuguese authorities to suspend the system temporarily. Furthermore, many self-service kiosks associated with EES have been unreliable, and no country except Sweden has permitted travelers to use an app for pre-registration.
Jankovec emphasized, "We can implement short-term solutions for the summer, but we need a coordinated European strategy to tackle all these issues effectively."
In the UK, Eurotunnel announced that it has initiated a phased implementation of EES for coach passengers and lorry drivers smoothly and is well-prepared. However, it has yet to begin registering tourist vehicles as it awaits guidance from French authorities. Meanwhile, Eurostar has invested substantially in new kiosks at St Pancras but has not activated them yet; EES checks are currently conducted manually by border officials, with automated processing to commence once the necessary software and timelines are established by the French interior ministry.
