Aviation industry leaders have called on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to suspend the new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) amid reports of up to five-hour delays at border control. The system, which requires travellers from third countries such as the UK to provide fingerprints and a photograph upon entry into the Schengen Area, has been in place since April and is causing significant disruption as the peak summer travel season approaches.
Massive Passenger Surge Expected
According to a joint letter from senior figures at three major aviation bodies, European airports are expected to handle approximately 40 million more passengers in July and August compared to the previous two months. The letter warns that without immediate intervention, the already severe delays will worsen. The signatories include Ourania Georgoutsakou, managing director of Airlines for Europe; Olivier Jankovec, director-general of Airports Council International Europe; and Thomas Reynaert, senior vice president for external affairs at the International Air Transport Association.
System Causing 'Unsustainable Pressure'
The letter describes the implementation of EES as creating “severe operational consequences disrupting passengers and putting border authorities, airports and airlines under unsustainable pressure.” Waiting times at border control have “increased significantly, now reaching up to five hours,” impacting millions of passengers. The industry leaders called for “immediate intervention” from Von der Leyen.
Temporary Flexibility Not Enough
While EU member states have been allowed to temporarily suspend biometric data collection during busy periods until September, the letter argues this has not prevented excessive queues. The aviation bodies are now calling for countries to be permitted to “completely suspend EES preventively” when passenger numbers exceed border control capacity, until the end of August. They also seek a “permanent operational flexibility mechanism” to allow suspension under clearly defined exceptional circumstances.
Worst-Affected Airports
Airports in Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy are reported to be among the worst affected by EES queues. Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs for travel trade organisation Abta, urged the European Commission to “act now.” He noted that five-hour delays are “the exception not the rule” but described queues at some airports as “completely unacceptable.” Petherbridge added: “Whilst the industry remains supportive of the longer-term objectives of EES, it is clear the system can no longer be delivered on the existing timeline.”
