Europe’s airport chief has raised concerns about the challenges faced by the continent’s airports due to significant delays caused by a new EU border system as the busy holiday season nears. Stefan Schulte, the head of ACI Europe, expressed uncertainty about how airports will manage the expected surge in passenger traffic in the coming weeks.
The European Union implemented the Entry-Exit System (EES) earlier this year, requiring non-EU passengers to provide biometric data when entering and exiting most European countries. The system has been blamed for causing delays and flight disruptions at various airports, although some have reported smoother operations.
Recent reports from Athens highlighted issues where passengers faced long queues, leading to missed flights. Schulte called for a reconsideration of the EES, emphasizing the need for flexibility to suspend the system when necessary to prevent chaos and maintain a positive travel experience for visitors to the EU.
While the European Commission has allowed airports to temporarily suspend the EES until September under certain circumstances, Schulte warned that the upcoming busy summer travel period could strain the system further and potentially lead to its collapse.
Amid concerns over the impact of the new system, a dispute arose in Greece regarding exemptions for certain nationalities from biometric checks, with conflicting statements from officials. Travel industry leaders advised passengers to allocate extra time for processing through the EES, citing varying experiences at different airport locations.
As the situation unfolds, there is a growing consensus among industry stakeholders that proactive measures are needed to address the operational challenges posed by the EES and ensure a smooth travel experience for passengers visiting the EU.