European airports and airlines are raising the alarm about the new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES). According to industry organizations ACI EUROPE, Airlines for Europe (A4E), and IATA, the system is still causing significant delays for travelers from outside the EU. Without immediate adjustments, waiting times could rise to four hours or more during the busy summer months.

In a letter to European Commissioner Magnus Brunner (Home Affairs and Migration), the organizations state that travelers are already waiting up to two hours at border controls at airports. This is due in part to staff shortages at border authorities, technical problems "particularly with automated border crossings" and the limited use of the Frontex pre-registration app by Schengen countries.

Currently, 35% of non-EU travelers must be registered upon entry into the Schengen area. If all border crossings are made subject to the system during the peak months of July and August, the industry warns, this will lead to serious disruptions. Waiting times can then reach four hours or more.

The aviation sector is therefore calling on the European Commission to give member states the option to partially or completely suspend the system until the end of October 2026. Without this flexibility, they warn, not only airport operations will be jeopardized, but also the EU's reputation as an efficient and hospitable destination.

The option for suspension does exist, a European Commission spokesperson stated last week. Airports can continue to operate their traditional checkpoints until just after the summer.

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* Origin: AVIATION ECHO HQ (2:292/854)