Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jul 2
ACI Europe Warns EU EES Delays Hit 5 Hours as Brussels Plans Industry Meeting
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jul 2

ACI Europe Warns EU EES Delays Hit 5 Hours as Brussels Plans Industry Meeting

3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jul 2

Summary

  • ACI Europe told EU officials border-control waits under the Entry-Exit System have reached five hours at peak times, warning summer traffic could leave passengers stuck in queues and planes departing half-empty.
  • Berlin Airport said non-EU travelers are already waiting one to two hours, while Ryanair called the rollout “half-baked” and urged governments to delay it until after the holiday peak.
  • The disruption stems from the biometric EES, fully operational since April, with airports and airlines blaming fragmented national systems, broken equipment and too few border staff for inconsistent processing.
  • The European Commission said problems remain limited at most airports but acknowledged support is needed; it will meet aviation industry representatives next week as pressure grows for contingency measures.

Insights

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Why did America’s biometric border system succeed while Europe’s descended into chaos?