Rome Airport Considers Easing EU Border Checks Amid Summer Travel Surge

European airports are facing significant congestion due to a new EU border control system, the Entry/Exit System (EES), which requires biometric registration of travelers. This has led to long queues and operational challenges, especially as summer travel intensifies. Rome's airports, Fiumicino and Ciampino, are particularly affected and are considering a temporary suspension of some biometric checks to prevent operational collapse during peak season, according to Marco Troncona, CEO of Aeroporti di Roma.

The EES replaces manual passport stamps with digital records of entries and exits, including biometric data such as facial scans and fingerprints. While enhancing security, the system's demands combined with high passenger volumes have caused unusual delays. Other European countries are also preparing for busy summer months: Portugal is increasing police presence at airports to speed up checks, while Greece reversed plans to ease controls for certain passengers after concerns about procedural consistency.

Industry officials express concern about the EES's impact on airport operations. Stefan Schultheis, president of ACI Europe, highlighted the system as a major worry for airport managers ahead of peak travel. The European Union acknowledges that it may take up to two years for the system to stabilize fully. Frontex, the EU border agency, noted that biometric data collection remains a key challenge in implementing the system effectively.