Europe Braces for Summer Travel Chaos as New Entry-Exit System Faces Criticism
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The European Union’s new Entry-Exit System (EES) is sparking widespread concern among travel industry leaders,who are urging the European Commission to prepare to temporarily suspend the program if necessary to avoid important disruption this summer. airports across the continent are warning of possibly “disastrous” passenger experiences and extensive queues as the biometric controls for foreign visitors are implemented.
Travelers, particularly British holidaymakers, will soon be required to provide fingerprints, photographs, and registration details upon entering the 29 European countries participating in the scheme. As a soft launch in October, UK firms have reported inconsistencies in how the new rules are being applied, adding to the uncertainty.
EES Implementation Already Causing delays
The phased rollout began in October, with preparations underway at key transport hubs like St Pancras International station, well in advance of the October launch.
Airport Concerns escalate Ahead of Peak Season
Despite the preparations, the system is already proving problematic. Airports Council International (ACI) reports that delays of up to three hours have been experienced at airports in spain, Portugal, France, and Italy.
“The chronic understaffing of all border control guards was an issue before – and the rollout of EES makes it worse,” stated the director general of ACI Europe, Olivier Jankovec. “We’re routinely seeing, with only up to 35% of people coming into Schengen being registered, queues of up to two hours. it’s not lasting and we fear it is only going to get worse.”
Jankovec expressed particular concern for the peak summer months of July and August, predicting potential queues of up to five hours. “It creates a disastrous passenger experience and a safety hazard, and also possible missed connecting flights,” he added.
Calls for EU Intervention and Contingency Planning
The UK travel association Abta has formally requested that the EU ensure all member states and border authorities are actively utilizing available contingency measures to mitigate delays at passport control. Abta’s chief executive, Mark tanzer, has written to the EU commissioner for migration, Magnus Brunner, urging a continued review of the system and advocating for increased border guard staffing during peak travel times.
“The ambition of a project like EES means it was never going to go entirely smoothly,and we were prepared for that,” tanzer explained. “However,what is frustrating is that border authorities have it within their power to ease queues and deal with issues as they arise – but that doesn’t seem to be happening across the board.”
A European Commission spokesperson indicated last week that contingency measures would remain in effect for at least 90 days following the April deadline, with a potential six-week extension to cover the summer period. Though, Jankovec noted that airports have yet to receive formal confirmation of this extension or the specific conditions attached.
Systemic Issues and Uneven Implementation
Reports indicate significant operational challenges. Queues at Lisbon airport reached seven hours prior to the new year, prompting portuguese authorities to temporarily suspend the system. Furthermore, many of the self-service EES kiosks have proven unreliable, and only Sweden currently offers an app allowing travelers to pre-register their details.
“We can do a Band-Aid for the summer but we need all these things to be addressed, under a coordinated European approach,” Jankovec emphasized.
UK preparations Vary
In the UK, eurotunnel has initiated a phased rollout of EES for coach passengers and lorry drivers, reporting a smooth process and stating they are “fully prepared.” However, registration of tourist vehicles remains on hold, pending a date from French authorities.
Eurostar,having invested heavily in new kiosks at St Pancras International station,has yet to activate them. The company confirmed that EES checks are currently being conducted manually by border officers, with plans to transition to kiosk-based processing once the necessary software and dates are finalized by the French interior ministry.
