UK airport chiefs have warned British holidaymakers planning trips to Europe this summer to expect significant delays at border control, with queue times potentially stretching up to two hours due to the introduction of the EU's new Entry-Exit System (EES). The stark warning comes from Aletta von Massenbach, head of Berlin Airport, who described the current situation as 'not bearable' for peak travel season.
The EES, which became fully operational in April, requires non-EU nationals to register biometric data upon entering and exiting most European countries. Von Massenbach highlighted issues at Berlin's terminals, particularly those serving budget airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air, where waiting times have consistently ranged from one to two hours.
She attributed some of the problems to varying systems used by individual EU member states, citing that 'the complexity doesn't really support smooth processing at the border'. This inconsistency has led to reports of long queues during busy periods, with some travellers missing their flights due to delays. One such affected traveller, Anne Robinson from Dunbarton, recounted missing her flight home from Rome in June after facing 90-minute EES queues upon arrival and departure.
Robinson's experience, which involved a £250 additional cost for a replacement flight two days later, has left her reluctant to travel Europe again this year. The EES is intended to modernise EU border controls by creating digital records linked to passports, but airlines and airport groups have voiced concerns about its inconsistent rollout and operational challenges.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2, criticised the 'continued pursuit of a policy so baffling', suggesting that pausing EES checks where systems are not ready would improve the holidaymaker experience. Following a high-level meeting in Brussels, von Massenbach indicated that authorities are beginning to grasp the severity of the situation. The European Commission has acknowledged difficulties and expressed willingness to offer additional support for a smoother operation.
Airlines UK and ACI Europe have urged the European Commission and member states to implement contingency measures and reassess the timeline, especially with summer approaching rapidly.