**Title: Airports Chief Calls for Reevaluation of EU's New Border Control System Amid Ongoing Delays**
The head of the European airports lobby group has voiced serious concerns regarding the EU's new digital border control system, known as the Entry-Exit System (EES), which was fully implemented earlier this year. Stefan Schulte, president of ACI Europe and CEO of Frankfurt Airport, highlighted the significant issues that have arisen since the system's rollout, particularly the long wait times at airports that have left many travelers frustrated and missing their flights.
The EES requires travelers from outside the EU to register biometric information, including facial scans and fingerprints, upon entering most European countries. This data is then used to check their exit from the Schengen area. While some countries have reported smooth operations under the new system, others have experienced severe delays, leading to chaos at various airports.
During a recent industry event in Prague, Schulte expressed his dissatisfaction with the current state of the EES, stating, "Politicians should stop pretending... that EES is working just fine. It is not." He emphasized that passengers are facing hours of queuing during peak travel times, raising concerns about how airports will manage the anticipated increase in traffic in the coming weeks.
The impact of the EES has been felt across multiple airports, with several incidents reported where passengers were unable to board their flights due to delays at passport control. For instance, earlier this month, a group of Ryanair passengers in Athens missed their flight to London Luton, with the airline attributing the situation to border delays. Similarly, travelers flying from Milan Bergamo and Milan Linate to Manchester also faced difficulties, leading to missed connections.
In light of these ongoing challenges, Schulte has called for immediate action, urging for greater flexibility for border control authorities to temporarily suspend the EES when necessary to prevent further disruptions. He stated, "This is about showing respect and decency for those who chose to travel to the EU, and safeguarding our reputation as a welcoming and efficient destination."
The situation has prompted discussions among various stakeholders, including tourism officials. Greece's tourism minister, Olga Kefalogianni, previously expressed a desire to avoid burdening visitors with bureaucratic procedures. She assured that British travelers would not face biometric checks when entering Greece this summer. However, this statement was later contradicted by the Greek Foreign Ministry, which indicated that no such exemptions were in place.
Reports have also surfaced suggesting that Portugal and Italy were considering similar exemptions for British nationals, but the European Commission has denied that any plans for such measures currently exist.
As the summer travel season approaches, the pressure is mounting on EU officials to address the concerns raised by airport leaders and ensure that the EES operates efficiently to avoid further disruptions for travelers. The European Commission has been contacted for comments regarding the ongoing issues with the new border system, but no response has been provided at this time.
With the travel industry heavily reliant on smooth border processing, the future of the EES remains uncertain as stakeholders advocate for a reevaluation of the system to better accommodate travelers and maintain the EU's reputation as a desirable travel destination.