The head of Europe's airports trade body has warned that the European Union's new digital border system is not working, causing chaos at passport control and keeping industry bosses awake at night. The Entry-Exit System, which requires travellers from outside the EU to register biometric information, has been blamed for significant delays at several airports. This has resulted in some passengers missing flights altogether, highlighting the need for urgent action to address the issue.
The system, which was completed earlier this year, has bedded in smoothly in some countries but has caused problems in others. The requirement for travellers to register biometric data, including facial scans and fingerprints, has added to the processing time, leading to lengthy queues. The situation is expected to worsen as the summer peak season gets underway, with passenger volumes increasing week by week.
There have been several instances of passengers missing flights due to delays at passport control, including dozens of Ryanair passengers who were left stranded in Athens. The disruption is no longer hypothetical, and the travel industry is bracing itself for a difficult summer. Airlines, such as Wizz Air, are advising British holidaymakers to arrive at European airports three hours before their return flights to absorb the lengthening queues.
The friction caused by the new system is a direct consequence of the requirement for most travellers from outside the European Economic Area to register biometric data on entry. This process takes considerably longer than the old practice of stamping a passport, leading to frustration among travellers. The industry is calling for the system to be made more flexible, with the ability to suspend it when necessary to avoid further chaos.
The European Commission has permitted the system to be suspended in certain circumstances until September, but the decision to suspend rests with individual governments rather than airports. This has led to concerns that queues will continue to grow longer while decisions are being made. The summer peak season runs well beyond early September, and the industry could be staring at the complete collapse of the system if urgent action is not taken.
The situation is further complicated by the inconsistency between countries, with some promising exemptions from biometric checks and others disputing their existence. The confusion is unlikely to reassure an industry already braced for a difficult summer, and it comes ahead of a further layer of bureaucracy. From next year, British holidaymakers will also need to pay for an EU visa waiver under the ETIAS scheme, adding to the frustration and uncertainty.
The message from Europe's airport bosses is clear: the system, as it stands, is not coping, and pretending otherwise will not make the queues any shorter. The industry is urging politicians to take action to address the issue and prevent further chaos. With the summer peak season underway, it is essential that a solution is found quickly to avoid disruption to travellers and to safeguard the reputation of the EU as a welcoming and efficient destination.
