The European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) has triggered a sharp divide between aviation industry leaders and the European Commission over the cause of recent airport border disruptions. While the Commission initially maintained that the impact of the biometric registration system was limited, Ursula von der Leyen recently acknowledged that “technical issues” remain that require further work with member states to resolve.
Why are airports reporting five-hour wait times?
Airport lobby group ACI Europe, along with airline associations IATA and Airlines for Europe, argue that the EES rollout is responsible for operational disruption and missed connecting flights. In an open letter to von der Leyen, these industry groups reported that border control wait times have surged to as much as five hours during peak periods. The industry groups contend that the mandatory registration of biometric data for non-EU travelers is the cause of these delays.
The European Commission estimated earlier this year that the registration of a single entry or exit under the EES would take approximately 70 seconds per traveler.
How does the Commission’s position compare to industry data?
There is a clear discrepancy between official projections and the experiences reported by airlines and airports. On Wednesday, European Commission spokesperson for internal affairs Markus Lammert stated that in most EU airports, the impact of the EES has been “limited.” von der Leyen’s recent admission that technical work is still required suggests a shift in the Commission’s tone, moving away from initial dismissals of the reported complications.
What are the future implications for international travelers?
The core of the conflict lies in the transition to a border control infrastructure which requires travelers from non-EU countries to register their biometric data. Future trends will likely depend on whether member states can synchronize their technical systems. Airlines and airports have blamed the new border control system for hours-long queues, operational disruption and missed connecting flights.
Pro Tip: Navigating Border Delays
Travelers arriving in the EU from non-member countries should allow for extra time during their connection windows. Given reports of five-hour waits during peak traffic, experts suggest booking flights with longer layovers until the EES technical issues are fully resolved by member states.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the EES system?
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new EU border control requirement that mandates the collection of biometric data from travelers arriving from outside the European Union.
Why are there delays at airports?
According to ACI Europe, IATA, and Airlines for Europe, the delays are caused by the new border control system, which has led to queues of up to five hours.
Has the European Commission acknowledged the issues?
Yes. While spokesperson Markus Lammert initially characterized the impact as limited, von der Leyen recently confirmed that there is still work to be done to solve technical issues.
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