Britons traveling to a well-liked European Union destination have been cautioned about significant delays. Copenhagen Airport in Denmark has been experiencing extended lines at arrivals, prompting the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) to issue a formal alert.
Passengers arriving from non-Schengen countries, including the UK, at Copenhagen Airport are encountering prolonged waits at passport control. Embassy officials are engaging with the relevant authorities to address this issue. Travelers with special needs, those requiring assistance, or individuals with tight flight connections are advised to notify airport staff wearing yellow vests overseeing the queue. For individuals departing from Copenhagen to the UK and other non-Schengen destinations, it is recommended to allocate extra time for potential delays at passport control, according to the statement released on Sunday.
The prolonged waiting times coincide with the full implementation of the EES border check system at Copenhagen Airport, following a partial rollout last October. This new system entails fingerprinting non-EU travelers, such as UK passport holders, upon entry to the country from outside the Schengen Area.
The EES system, which has been in development for over 12 years and faced multiple delays, was fully deployed by Copenhagen Airport last month. The introduction of this system has caused disruptions not only in Denmark but across Europe, including the UK. Recently, long queues formed at Dover before the new border controls were temporarily halted due to concerns over drivers facing extreme heat during a bank holiday.
Travelers at the Port of Dover encountered hours-long delays on Friday, with similar disruptions continuing into Saturday. To alleviate congestion, the French authorities temporarily suspended additional EU border checks under the EES protocol, as announced by the port. Additionally, individuals missing their ferry crossing due to queues were offered free travel on the next available slot.
The EES process involves registering fingerprints and taking photographs of individuals from third-party countries like the UK for entry into the Schengen Area, comprising 29 European countries, predominantly in the EU.
Delays have also been reported in other European ports. Passengers in airports across countries like France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Greece were experiencing lengthy waits at border checks, as stated by the Airports Council International (ACI).
Olivier Jankovec, the director of the ACI European division, warned of escalating queue times in the upcoming weeks and peak summer months, labeling the situation as potentially unmanageable. Last week, the CEO of budget airline easyJet urged European Union member states to exhibit flexibility to avoid extended airport queues resulting from the EES system.
He emphasized the need for member states to utilize the flexibility granted by the EC to prevent customer inconvenience due to prolonged border queues, stressing that ample time had been provided since 2017 to prepare for this transition. The responsibility to ensure smooth operations lies with the European member states, who can mitigate queue overruns by opening additional passport desks.
