Airport chief says queues are “not bearable”
The boss of Berlin Airport has warned that long queues caused by the EU Entry-Exit System are creating major disruption for non-EU travellers, describing the situation as “not bearable over the summer”.
Aletta von Massenbach told the BBC that passengers arriving at one terminal used by Ryanair and Wizz Air are facing waits of between one and two hours at border control.
The EU Entry-Exit System requires travellers from outside the bloc to register biometric information, including fingerprints and photographs, when entering most European countries. The data is then checked when they leave.
Although the system is intended to modernise border controls and improve security, airports and airlines say its rollout has been plagued by delays.
Passengers report missed flights
While the EU Entry-Exit System has operated smoothly in some locations since becoming fully operational in April, long queues have been reported at several airports, particularly during busy travel periods.
Some passengers say they have missed flights after becoming stuck at passport control.
Von Massenbach said one of the main challenges is that EU member states use different border processing systems.
“There are so many sub-systems for each and every member state,” she told the BBC. “We see that the complexity doesn’t really support smooth processing at the border.”
Technology issues continue
The system is not yet operating at the Port of Dover, where French border checks take place before travellers cross to France.
Although a new processing area with 84 biometric kiosks has been installed, the equipment cannot yet be activated because technology provided by the French authorities is not ready.
Port of Dover chief executive Doug Bannister warned MPs that “time is rapidly running out” before the busy summer travel season.
Holidaymakers voice frustration
Scottish traveller Anne Robinson told the BBC she and her 13-year-old son missed their return flight from Rome after spending around 90 minutes waiting in border control queues.
She said many of the automated machines appeared to be out of service, forcing passengers into lengthy delays. The pair eventually paid £250 for replacement flights two days later, a cost that was not covered by travel insurance.
“I’m not going back to Europe this year,” Robinson said. “That was too stressful.”
Airlines call for contingency plans
Airlines UK and Airlines for America said implementation of the EU Entry-Exit System has been inconsistent and urged the European Commission and member states to introduce contingency measures before peak holiday travel.
Jet2 chief executive Steve Heapy also criticised the rollout, arguing that checks should be suspended where systems are not fully operational to reduce disruption for passengers.
Airport lobby group ACI Europe has warned the European Commission that border control delays have reached up to five hours during peak periods and could worsen over the summer.
The European Commission said it is working to minimise the impact on travellers from outside the EU, adding that in many cases delays have resulted from shortages of border staff, infrastructure and automated equipment in member states.
Source: BBC
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