European Airports Face Delays Due to New Entry-Exit System

The implementation of the EU's new Entry-Exit System (EES) has led to significant delays at border checks in several European airports. The Airports Council International (ACI) has reported that passengers in countries like France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Greece are enduring wait times of up to three hours.

Olivier Jankovec, director of ACI Europe, expressed concern about the situation, stating that it could become unmanageable during the peak summer months. The EES, which came into effect on Friday in the Schengen area, requires non-EU passengers to provide personal information and biometrics at the border.

The system's gradual rollout since October has already caused delays at some airports. On Sunday, the BBC reported that over 100 passengers missed an easyJet flight from Milan to Manchester due to passport desk delays. Airport representatives and the European Commission met to address these issues, with ACI requesting the authority to suspend EES checks during excessive wait times.

Michael O'Leary, CEO of Ryanair, criticized the EES, suggesting it was a punishment for Brexit and calling for its full introduction to be postponed until October. The European Commission, however, maintains that the system is functioning well, with an average registration time of 70 seconds, although ACI claims it can take up to five minutes.

The EES has registered over 52 million entries and exits and identified nearly 700 security threats since October. As European airports grapple with EES challenges, they also face potential jet fuel supply disruptions due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, adding to the operational complexities.

ACI has urged the EU to address these issues promptly to ensure a smoother travel experience for passengers and maintain efficient airport operations.