Warning of four-hour EU airport delays this summer

Aviation trade bodies have warned of airport queues of fours hours or more this summer unless action is taken over the new  EU Entry/Exit System (EES).

Airports body ACI Europe, Iata and Airlines for Europe (A4E) say the system, which started being introduced in October, continues to cause “significant delays” for passengers and urged an immediate review.

“Failing immediate action to provide sufficient flexibility, severe disruptions over the peak summer months are a real prospect, with queues potentially reaching four hours or more,” they said.

ACI Europe director general Olivier Jankovec, Iata external affairs senior vice president Thomas Reynaert and A4E managing director Ourania Georgoutsakou said in a joint statement: “There is a complete disconnect between the perception of the EU institutions that EES is working well, and the reality, which is that non‑EU travellers are experiencing massive delays and inconvenience.

“This must come to an end immediately. We need to be realistic about what will happen during the peak summer months, when traffic at Europe’s airports doubles. 

“The rollout of EES must be flexible to react to operational realities. 

“This is an absolute prerequisite for its success - and for safeguarding the reputation of the EU as an efficient, welcoming and desirable destination.”  

They have written to Magnus Brunner, the EU commissioner for internal affairs and migration, to warn that there have already been “persistent excessive waiting times of up to two hours at airport border control.”

They said: “Failing immediate action to provide sufficient flexibility, severe disruptions over the peak summer months are a real prospect, with queues potentially reaching four hours or more.”

They added that there were “three critical issues that are compounding EES delays”, including “chronic border control understaffing, unresolved technology issues, especially with regard to border automation, and the very limited uptake of the Frontex pre-registration app by Schengen states”.

The use of a pre-registration app would allow arrivals to complete some of the additional checks before arriving at the border.

They also want the European Commission to confirm that Schengen member states will retain the ability to partially or totally suspend EES until the end of October.

The joint call follows Abta demanding contingency plans to be enacted to ensure smooth travel across borders this summer.