Aletta von Massenbach, the head of Berlin Airport, has raised alarms regarding the European Union’s new Entry-Exit System (EES). She noted that travelers from outside the EU are facing wait times of up to two hours, a situation she described as untenable for the busy summer season. The EES requires non-EU citizens to provide biometric data, which is then verified upon their departure from the Schengen zone.
While intended to modernize border security, the system has faced significant criticism from aviation industry leaders. Airlines and airport operators argue that the rollout is inconsistent and prone to technical failures. Some passengers have reported missing flights due to extreme delays, with instances of broken kiosks exacerbating the problem. For example, Anne Robinson shared her experience of missing a flight from Rome after being stuck in a 90-minute queue, eventually having to pay for a replacement ticket without reimbursement.
Airlines UK, Airlines for America, and Jet2 have urged the European Commission to implement contingency measures or permit the suspension of checks when infrastructure fails. ACI Europe has warned that queues at some locations have reached five hours. While the European Commission claims the impact is localized and often due to insufficient staffing or equipment by individual member states, they have expressed a willingness to provide additional support to ensure smoother operations during the upcoming peak travel period.