Britons eager for a summer trip to Europe have received a significant travel advisory from an airport executive following the European Union’s implementation of a new border control system. The Entry/Exit System (EES), launched on October 12 last year, mandates that UK citizens entering the Schengen area must provide biometric data, such as fingerprints and a photo, upon arrival. This new protocol has caused extensive delays at airports within the region due to system glitches.
The Chief Aviation Officer at a prominent EU airport, situated in a highly popular European city, cautioned that the EES has nearly tripled the processing time for British travelers at passport control. Ivan Bassato from Rome’s Fiumicino airport disclosed that many passengers are utilizing the €12 million (£10.2 million) self-service kiosks. Although recent updates have enhanced the efficiency of the e-gates, UK nationals are experiencing prolonged wait times at border checkpoints.
Bassato highlighted that the average processing time has escalated from seven to 20 minutes, significantly surpassing pre-EES standards. He emphasized the need for urgent improvements in the system to address delays lasting one to two hours, which the airport finds unacceptable.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) previously advised British tourists entering the Schengen area to anticipate delays during the EES implementation, particularly on their initial trip. The government portal instructs travelers to be prepared for potential fingerprinting and photography at dedicated booths, potentially leading to extended processing times compared to previous procedures. Reports indicate that British travelers arriving in Rome have encountered hours-long wait times.
In an interview with the BBC, a traveler named Carl expressed astonishment at the extensive delays he faced upon arrival in Italy with his family. Another individual shared their experience entering Fiumicino airport from a non-EU country, describing lengthy queues extending through duty-free areas.
Despite assurances from the European Commission about limited disruptions at EU airports, member states will receive ongoing support for the EES implementation to streamline border control processes.
