Faro Airport Issues 'Arrive Early' Alert to All Passengers
Faro Airport, a major European hub for British travellers, has issued a formal alert urging all passengers to arrive early due to potential border control constraints. The warning highlights the risk of long queues and extended waiting times, particularly for international flights outside the Schengen area.
Official Statements and Passenger Guidance
In a statement published on its official website on April 16, the airport explicitly advised: "Due to possible constraints on departures border control, longer waiting times are to be expected. Passengers to international (Non Schengen) flights please arrive early at the Airport." A separate Facebook post reinforced this message, recommending that travellers on extra-EU flights plan their trips carefully to avoid unforeseen disruptions.
Impact of the New EU Entry/Exit System
The alert coincides with the recent implementation of the European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES), which launched on April 10. This new biometric system replaces manual passport stamping with facial recognition and fingerprint checks, designed to monitor compliance with the 90-day visa-free limit within a 180-day period. Once registered, a passenger's biometric data remains valid for three years.
However, since its introduction, the EES has caused significant operational challenges across European airports. Reports indicate waiting times of up to three hours at border controls, with some passengers missing flights due to delays in first-time biometric registrations, which can take approximately four minutes per person.
Disruption at Faro and Broader European Context
Last weekend, Faro Airport reportedly temporarily suspended EES registrations in response to excessive queues, underscoring the severity of the situation. The Airports Council International has noted that many busy airports continent-wide are experiencing similar delays, impacting travel efficiency.
Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has publicly criticised the system, describing it as a "shambles" and advocating for its postponement until October to align with the winter schedule. His comments reflect growing concerns within the aviation industry about the system's rollout during peak travel periods.
About Faro Airport and Schengen Area
Faro Airport serves as the primary gateway to Portugal's Algarve region and is consistently ranked among the top European airports for British arrivals, alongside destinations like Alicante and Tenerife South. It handles millions of passengers annually, making it a critical node for tourism.
The Schengen area, which includes countries such as France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Portugal, allows for passport-free movement, but the new EES system applies specifically to non-Schengen international flights, heightening the need for advanced passenger processing.
