Britons eagerly anticipating a summer vacation in Europe have received a significant caution from an airport executive following the European Union’s introduction of a new border system.
The EU enforced the Entry/Exit System (EES) on October 12 last year, mandating that British travelers to the Schengen area provide biometric data, such as fingerprints and a photo, upon arrival. This implementation has led to extensive queues in airports throughout the region, with reports of technical glitches hampering the system.
A top official at a major EU airport in one of Europe’s most popular cities revealed that the EES has nearly tripled the duration for British nationals to pass through passport control.
Ivan Bassato, the Chief Aviation Officer at Rome’s Fiumicino airport, informed the BBC that a large volume of passengers are using the €12 million self-service kiosks. While recent updates have enhanced the process with e-gates, UK citizens are experiencing prolonged wait times at the border.
The average processing time has increased from seven to 20 minutes, far exceeding pre-EES durations. Mr. Bassato emphasized the need for urgent refinements to address the extended wait times and inefficiencies in the system.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) previously cautioned British travelers entering the Schengen area to expect delays during the EES rollout, especially on their initial visit.
The government’s guidance states that travelers may have to undergo biometric registration upon arrival, potentially causing longer processing times. Reports indicate that British tourists in Rome are facing hours of waiting due to these new requirements.
In an interview with the BBC, a traveler named Carl recounted a two-hour wait to enter Italy with his family, expressing surprise at the lengthy process.
Another visitor shared their experience on Reddit, describing a lengthy line for non-EU passports at Fiumicino airport. Despite the European Commission’s assurance of limited disruptions, some travelers have encountered significant delays due to the new border control measures.