Alexander Zinell, the chief executive of Fraport Greece, which operates 14 Greek airports, has called for a serious overhaul of the European Union's new border checks after his airports were forced to erect gazebos to shield passengers from the sun as they queue for processing. The entry-exit system (EES) requires non-EU passengers to provide fingerprints and a photograph at the start of their trip and upon each re-entry to the Schengen zone, leading to long queues and safety concerns.
Gazebos and Safety Measures
Zinell's airports, including popular holiday destinations such as Rhodes, Corfu, Mykonos, and Crete, have had to use temporary gazebos to protect queuing passengers from the sun. Vulnerable individuals have been prioritised through security to ensure their safety. "It is very unpleasant for passengers, and even dangerous," Zinell said, highlighting the strain on airport infrastructure.
Impact on UK Tourists
British visitors constitute the majority of non-EU tourists passing through these airports. Although Greek authorities have indicated that police will not check UK passengers, there is no blanket legal exemption from the biometric tests. The system, first rolled out last October, has faced criticism from industry leaders, including the International Air Transport Association (Iata), which has called for a suspension of the controls until next summer due to fears of chaos in holiday hotspots.
Temporary Fixes and Calls for Overhaul
Border police currently have flexibility under EU rules to suspend checks at peak times, but this right is set to lapse in September. Zinell described this flexibility as the only thing preventing the system's collapse. "These are just temporary fixes; the system needs to be overhauled. It needs a new version, an update, and probably a reconfiguration in order to allow people to register before they fly, before they get on a plane, before they go to the airport," he told the Financial Times.
Wider Disruptions Across Europe
Iata reported that passengers in Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Belgium are experiencing delays and missed connections. Ryanair has warned of "queue chaos" at airports including Alicante, Málaga, and Palma. British cross-Channel ferry passengers could face long delays unless French border police suspend EES. The Home Office has promised to push for a pause at Dover after warnings of "utter chaos and miles of tailbacks" with peak holiday traffic starting from 17 July. The port of Dover reported that EES checks led to delays of four and a half hours during the May half-term holiday, and it expects nearly 50% more vehicles during the school summer holidays.
EU Response
While EU authorities have admitted the system is "not perfect," they have rejected calls for a temporary suspension. Officials stated that of the 1,500 border crossing points, only 20 are "difficult spots" and that member states will be asked to implement measures to ease the strain.
