Airlines and airports warn EU border checks are delaying summer travel
Aviation and tourism groups say the EU’s Entry/Exit System is causing long queues and missed boardings as peak travel approaches.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
Europe’s aviation industry is pressing the European Commission to loosen new digital border checks after airlines and airports reported long waits, missed boardings and growing strain at border facilities. The warning comes ahead of the busiest part of the summer season, when industry groups say passenger numbers are set to rise sharply.
Airports Council International Europe, Airlines for Europe and the International Air Transport Association said in a joint letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that the rollout of the Entry/Exit System, known as EES, had reached a critical stage. The groups said passengers had faced queues of up to five hours and that some aircraft had left with many booked passengers unable to board.
Industry asks for power to suspend checks
The three aviation bodies said border agencies, airports and airlines were being put under unsustainable pressure by the way the system is operating. They urged von der Leyen to step in before travel volumes increase further during July and August.
According to the groups, European airports are expected to process 40 million more passengers in July and August than in the previous two months. They said delays could worsen unless EU member states are given more room to respond when border facilities cannot cope.
The aviation bodies asked that countries be allowed to suspend EES checks completely when passenger traffic exceeds the capacity of border operations. They said that flexibility should remain available until the system is stable and enough staff are in place.
The groups also warned that the delays were damaging Europe’s image as a travel destination. They said some international travellers were already reconsidering trips to Europe because of expected waits at the border.
Tourism group warns of spending risk
The World Travel and Tourism Council backed the aviation groups’ request on Wednesday. The council said the delays could put as many as 41 million arrivals and $45.4bn in visitor spending at risk.
WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara said in a statement that travellers would choose other destinations if long waits became routine. She said Europe could not afford to weaken its competitiveness or the experience offered to visitors.
The European Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by Al Jazeera outside regular business hours, according to the broadcaster.
The EU began introducing EES in October to replace manual passport stamping. Under the system, authorities record travellers’ names, passport details, fingerprints, facial images and the dates and places where they enter and leave.
The European Commission said in April that EES was fully operational across the Schengen Area. Since its introduction, the system has been linked by industry groups to extended border delays, including instances in which flights departed before some passengers could reach their gates.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.