Airlines have demanded EU member states take action to reduce delays at airport passport control after fears of long delays proved to be well-founded.
Delays longer than the flights caused by new tougher immigration procedures in the EU’s Schengen region have been reported.
The Times reports that travellers have been told to expect queues stretching ‘hundreds of metres’ at popular summer holiday airports like Madrid, Palma, Lisbon, Lyons, Paris Orly, Milan and Brussels.
Airlines lobby group Airlines 4 Europe, which last week issued a warning about ‘huge delays’ due to understaffing at border controls, has written to EU member states.
Managing director Thomas Reynaert, told The Times it has asked EU member states to “take all necessary measures now to prevent such disruptions and deploy appropriate staff and resources in sufficient numbers to carry out the requested checks”.
He added: “During the peak season of the year, travellers face long lines and can’t get on their flights.
“Airports like Madrid, Palma, Lisbon, Lyons, Paris Orly, Milan or Brussels are producing shameful pictures of devastated passengers in front of immigration booths, in lines stretching hundreds of metres.”
A4E estimated flight delays had increased by 300% compared with last year and called on EU members to “take the responsibility for this”.
It has been reported that it is taking up to two minutes to process each passenger meaning some have missed flights.
The new rules introduced in March require exit and entry checks to be made against the Schengen Information System and Interpol’s database of stolen and lost travel documents.
The rules require checks on all passengers from non-Schengen countries like the UK as targeted checks can be carried out on a small number of travellers.
They were brought in after the Paris and Brussells terrorist attacks. Member states have until October to implement the checks in full, although many have already brought them in.
Abta said that it was “aware that new, stricter passport checks are resulting in longer queues at some airports”.
The association added: “Tour operators will ensure that customers get to the airport in plenty of time so that they are not in danger of missing their flights.
“However, independent travellers will need to check the situation with their airlines and, where necessary, ensure they factor these longer queueing times into their travel plans when flying in and out of the airport.
“It is also extremely important that border control check points are sufficiently resourced.”
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