EU Entry-Exit System: Airports and Airlines Propose Six Measures to Cut Delays
European aviation associations call for immediate operational changes to tackle persistent queues and delays at Schengen borders.
- The EU Entry-Exit System continues to cause long passenger queues at borders.
- Airport and airline associations propose six regulatory and tech measures.
- The plan aims to prevent missed connections and ease terminal congestion.
Flying to Greece or through the Schengen area? Be aware that digital border-control checks can lead to lengthy waiting times during peak hours. Arrive at the airport well in advance, check updates from your airline, and complete any available pre-registration online to speed up your passage.
Six Measures to Streamline Border Control
European airport industry association ACI Europe and Airlines for Europe (A4E) have urged the European Commission and Member States to implement immediate changes to address ongoing delays caused by the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES).
Despite efforts to smooth operations, waiting times at external Schengen borders frequently exceed two hours and can reach up to five hours during peak periods. The associations warn that this disruption leads to missed flights, severe terminal congestion, and heavy pressure on staff.
Key Proposals for Improvement
The organizations outlined six practical solutions to simplify procedures, including ending double verifications, optimizing biometric checks, preventing duplicate profiles, and upgrading remote pre-registration apps.
Additional proposals focus on expanding automated border control and introducing a permanent flexibility mechanism that would allow border authorities to temporarily ease EES requirements during extreme congestion periods.
