Major European airports are experiencing doubled waiting times this summer, with passengers facing queues of up to two hours following the implementation of the European Union's new electronic border system.
Peak waiting times at Frankfurt Airport reached 120 minutes in July, a significant increase from the 60-minute maximum recorded the previous year. Munich's longest queues also nearly doubled, from 31 minutes to an hour, while Amsterdam saw maximum waits climb from 80 to 120 minutes. These figures, compiled by travel analytics group Qsensor and obtained by the Financial Times, highlight growing concerns within the travel industry about potential bottlenecks.
The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES), launched on April 10, requires non-EU travelers to have their fingerprints and facial images recorded at the bloc's external borders. Since its introduction, the system has been linked to disruptions, including passengers missing flights and extended delays. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary criticized the system as being "misdesigned" and suggested it should be managed online, reporting significant queues at approximately 15 airports.
The EES is intended to enhance border security by tracking arrivals and departures, identifying visa overstayers, and locating individuals wanted for criminal offenses. However, its rollout has been affected by delays, technical issues, and hardware problems.
A spokesperson for Frankfurt Airport stated that the new border checks have led to "departure delays and further operational disruptions." The longest delays have been observed during peak travel periods at these major aviation hubs.
In Munich, the increase in wait times appears to be concentrated among passengers requiring manual checks, suggesting that EES registrations are a contributing factor. Some airports have temporarily alleviated pressure by suspending certain checks, such as fingerprint collection, during busy periods. However, this flexibility is scheduled to end in September, prompting eight EU countries and Switzerland to request an extension.
The European Commission has indicated it is discussing the issue with member states. The commission maintains that the impact on most non-EU travelers has remained limited, noting that the average EES registration takes approximately 70 seconds. They also highlighted the system's security benefits, with 160 million entries and exits recorded since its launch.
Sean Doyle, CEO of British Airways, acknowledged that the system has caused "flashpoints" at some airports but stated it has not significantly impacted the airline overall. EasyJet chief Kenton Jarvis urged airports to utilize available flexibility and apply common sense to avoid prolonged queues.
Recent reports from Athens International Airport indicate significant disruptions, with tourists describing chaotic scenes and lengthy waits. The airport's website now advises passengers to arrive at least two and a half hours before their scheduled departure to allow time for check-in, security, and passport control, warning that late arrival may result in denied boarding. Travelers have shared experiences of waiting over an hour and moving only short distances, with some reporting missed flights.
