European airports are bracing for significant border delays this summer due to the rollout of the bloc's new Entry-Exit System (EES), a move that has prompted warnings from airline and airport industry representatives. The EES is designed to digitally track third-country nationals, including travelers from the UK and United States, as they enter and leave the Schengen Area, a zone encompassing 29 European countries.
Airlines UK and Airlines for America have highlighted inconsistencies in the EES implementation, urging the European Commission and member states to develop contingency measures and re-evaluate the current timeline. Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2, criticized the pursuit of a policy that has not been robustly implemented, suggesting that pausing EES checks in areas where systems are not ready would improve the traveler experience.
ACI Europe, an airports lobby group, has alerted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to the issue, reporting border control wait times of up to five hours during peak periods. The group cautioned that these delays could worsen as the summer travel season intensifies, potentially leading to half-empty planes at gate closing times while passengers remain in queues.
While countries have the ability to suspend EES checks under certain circumstances, ACI Europe advocates for proactive suspension when high passenger volumes are anticipated. A European Commission spokesperson stated that efforts are underway to minimize the impact on non-EU travelers, noting that issues in most airports are linked to member states' insufficient provision of border guards, infrastructure, and automated equipment. The Commission has offered continued support for the new system and indicated a willingness to provide further assistance ahead of the summer period.