European airport chaos grows as new biometric border checks trigger long delays

Airport disruption across Europe is continuing as the new biometric Entry/Exit System, known as EES, is rolled out, according to a report by n12. The system requires non-EU travelers to provide biometric data when entering and leaving most European countries, and industry officials say it is already creating major bottlenecks.

Stefan Schulte, president of the European airport group ACI Europe, warned that airports could face especially heavy congestion in the coming weeks as the busy summer travel season begins. He said passengers are already waiting for hours during peak periods and argued that the system is not working as smoothly as officials claim. Schulte urged politicians to acknowledge the problem and allow border authorities to suspend the system whenever exceptional congestion develops.

EES is intended to replace part of the passport-stamping process by digitally recording the entries and exits of non-EU citizens. In practice, the new procedure includes passport scanning, face photography and sometimes fingerprint collection, which is slowing border crossings. Reports say several major airports have already seen significant delays and missed flights.

In Athens, huge queues earlier this month reportedly caused about 20 passengers to miss a flight to London. The European Commission has said airports will be allowed to suspend the system in certain circumstances until September, but the aviation sector says that is not enough. Schulte warned that the busy travel season will last beyond early September and said the system could collapse without a rapid change. Airlines are now advising travelers to expect especially long waits, particularly in Spain, Portugal and France, and to arrive at the airport at least three hours before departure.