Airports across Europe are experiencing delays of up to three hours at border checks due to the EU's new Entry-Exit System (EES), according to the Airports Council International (ACI). The system, which requires non-EU travellers including UK citizens to register personal information and biometrics, has caused long queues at airports in France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain and Greece.
Olivier Jankovec, director of ACI Europe, told the Financial Times that the situation is 'simply unmanageable' and warned of worsening delays during the summer peak. The ACI has requested the power to suspend EES checks when waiting times become excessive.
Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary described the system as 'a shit show and a shambles' and a punishment for Brexit, reporting queues of up to four hours at some airports. He urged the EU to postpone full implementation until October.
The European Commission, however, said the system is 'working very well' in most member states, with an average registration time of 70 seconds. It acknowledged technical issues in a few countries but said they are being addressed. Since October, the EES has registered over 52 million entries and exits and identified nearly 700 security threats.
