The new EU border system has sent shockwaves through Rome's Fiumicino Airport, where UK passport control times have nearly tripled to 20 minutes per person, despite promises of streamlined processes. Ivan Bassato, Chief Aviation Officer at the airport, has spoken out about the problems plaguing the digital Entry Exit System (EES), which requires non-EU citizens to register their fingerprints and photograph upon arrival.
The EES system, introduced in October, relies on automated kiosks and e-gates for UK nationals, but children under 12 still require manual processing by a border officer. Despite efforts to integrate the system with airport technology, reports from travellers indicate wait times of up to two hours in popular destinations like Rome and Barcelona.
Ryanair has warned passengers to 'allow extra time' for their journey due to the EES rollout issues, while Faro Airport in Portugal acknowledges 'bugs' within the technology. The European Commission insists that disruption is 'limited', but airport officials are calling for urgent fixes, including streamlining duplicate processes and adopting the EU's pre-registration app.
A recent meeting between airports, airlines, and the European Commission did not result in changes to the EES policy, which remains mandatory for non-EU citizens. As a result, extended wait times at EU borders are likely to persist, affecting UK travellers planning trips to the Schengen area.
Travellers can take steps to mitigate delays by allowing extra time for their journey and checking travel insurance policies carefully. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises that there are no new visa requirements for short stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period) for UK citizens, but the EES process is mandatory.