Airlines and airports have jointly called for the suspension of the new European Union biometric border check system during the peak summer months of July and August, warning that planes are departing half empty and passengers face queues of up to five hours.
Industry Plea to European Commission
In a letter addressed to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, industry groups ACI Europe (representing airports), Airlines 4 Europe, and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have requested an option to suspend the system, known as the Exit and Entry System (EES), during July and August. The system has faced widespread criticism since its introduction.
“We have reached a critical point,” the groups stated in the letter, highlighting the unsustainable pressure on border authorities, airports, and airlines.
Impact on Passengers and Airlines
The letter describes passengers being forced to queue for extended periods outside terminal buildings and on exposed aprons because border control facilities cannot process arrivals quickly enough. Airlines are facing half-empty planes at gate closing time as passengers remain stuck in border control queues.
Some passengers have experienced queues lasting up to five hours, forcing airlines to leave holidaymakers behind. The chaos has already prompted Greece to suspend the system temporarily, fearing massive queues across its airports. Spain and Portugal have also expressed concerns over the biometric checks.
Call for Immediate Action
The groups urged the Commission to allow airports to “completely suspend” checks whenever passenger volumes exceed the operational capacity of border control facilities. They called for “immediate intervention before the situation deteriorates further during the peak summer travel season,” which typically spans July and August.
“The commission and the member states must take stock of the reality of the current situation and of what our air transport system will face over the coming weeks,” the letter warned.
