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Biometric border system causes lengthy queues at European airports
Travelers across Europe are experiencing hours-long waits at passport control as authorities implement the new Entry-Exit System (EES), with warnings of even worse delays during upcoming holiday periods.
Current disruptions reported
Passengers have documented three-hour queues at Geneva Airport, where the winter ski season has compounded congestion. A spokesperson for the airport described the EES rollout as a "major challenge" for Swiss customs, noting that Saturdays during peak ski travel have been particularly affected. Additional staff have been deployed to ease the process.
Similar delays have been observed in Tenerife, where British tourists arriving for winter getaways have faced unpredictable wait times. Andrew Knight, owner of Sanasty Car Hire at Tenerife Airport, reported that while some travelers clear passport control in 20 minutes, others endure 90-minute to two-hour delays. System outages have further disrupted the process.
How the new system works
The EES replaces traditional passport stamps with digital registration for non-EU travelers. Upon first entry into the Schengen Zone, visitors must provide fingerprints and a facial photograph, which are stored for three years. Subsequent border crossings verify these biometric details via automated kiosks. The system began its phased introduction in October, with half of border checkpoints currently operational and at least a third of eligible passengers processed through EES.
Industry warns of worsening delays
Travel industry leaders have raised alarms about the system's impact on passenger flow. Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of the Advantage Partnership travel agency network, stated that EES has "created even more bottlenecks" in already strained border areas.
Olivier Jankovec, Director General of Airports Council International Europe, told the BBC that processing times at passport control have increased four- to five-fold under EES, with typical waits reaching two hours. He cited insufficient staffing and malfunctioning equipment as key issues, warning that delays could extend to five or six hours during peak travel periods like Easter and summer.
EU offers temporary relief measures
Markus Lammert, European Commission Spokesperson for Internal Affairs, acknowledged that 23 million entries and exits have been recorded under EES, with 12,000 entry refusals. While he maintained that the system has operated "largely without issues," he confirmed that member states may suspend EES at border points during peak periods until September to prevent unsustainable congestion.
Jankovec emphasized the need for coordination with border authorities to ensure timely suspensions of the system if delays become unmanageable. Meanwhile, the UK travel association ABTA criticized border authorities for underutilizing contingency measures, urging better planning for high-traffic periods.
Advice for travelers
With February half-term holidays approaching, Lo Bue-Said advised passengers to prepare for long waits, particularly during peak times. "Plan for the worst," she said, recommending snacks and activities to occupy children during potential delays.
"Make sure you've got some refreshments, make sure you've got something to keep [small children] occupied."
Julia Lo Bue-Said, Advantage Partnership
