Britons planning a summer trip to Europe have received a significant travel advisory from an airport executive following the European Union’s introduction of a new border control system.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) was rolled out on October 12 last year, mandating that UK citizens visiting the Schengen area must register biometric information like fingerprints and a photo upon arrival. This implementation has led to extensive queues at airports within the region, with reports of technical glitches affecting the system.
An official at a major EU airport situated in a highly popular European city highlighted that the EES has nearly tripled the processing time for British travelers passing through passport control.
Ivan Bassato, the Chief Aviation Officer at Rome’s Fiumicino airport, informed the BBC that a large number of passengers are utilizing the €12 million (£10.2 million) self-service “kiosks.” Despite recent enhancements to the system improving the use of e-gates, UK nationals are experiencing prolonged delays at the border.
The average processing time has increased from seven to 20 minutes, significantly lengthening the overall procedure compared to pre-EES times.
Bassato expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs, emphasizing the urgent need to address certain aspects of the system to enhance efficiency and reduce wait times.
The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) previously advised British travelers entering the Schengen area to anticipate delays during the EES implementation, especially on their initial trip.
The FCDO’s guidance states that on the first visit to the Schengen area, individuals may be required to create a digital record at the port or airport upon arrival. This process may involve submitting fingerprints and undergoing photo capture at designated booths, leading to slightly longer processing times, particularly during peak hours. Travelers heading to Rome have faced extended wait times lasting several hours.
In an interview with the BBC, a traveler named Carl, who visited Rome with his family, expressed surprise at the prolonged entry process, having spent two hours from disembarking the plane to completing immigration with children in tow.
Another non-EU traveler shared their experience on Reddit, recounting a lengthy immigration line at Fiumicino airport that extended through duty-free areas.
The European Commission has assured that disruptions in EU airports are minimal and that member states will receive ongoing support to manage the EES effectively.