Airports and airlines have called for urgent action over the rollout of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), saying they fear travellers face queues of four hours or more during the peak summer season.
ACI Europe, Airlines for Europe (A4E) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have written to EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner highlighting ‘persistent and excessive waiting times at airport border controls’.
Under the current phase of the progressive EES introduction, 35% of all third-country nationals entering the Schengen zone must be registered. The aviation groups say this is already resulting in queues of up to two hours at some airports.
They say delays are caused by a combination of ‘chronic understaffing’ at border control points, unresolved technological issues – particularly around border automation – and limited adoption of the Frontex pre-registration app, which is designed to streamline the process.
They warn that the situation could deteriorate in July and August and, if full EES registration becomes mandatory at all crossings without flexibility, waiting times could increase to four hours or more.
The organisations are urging the European Commission to clarify that Schengen member states will retain the option to partially or fully suspend the EES until the end of October 2026. Currently, this option is only available until early July.
In a joint statement, ACI Europe Director General Olivier Jankovec, A4E Managing Director Ourania Georgoutsakou and IATA Senior Vice President External Affairs Thomas Reynaert said: “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.”
Last week, ABTA wrote to the European Commission over concerns about EES rollout, calling for more consistent use of contingency measures at borders.
