As Europe prepares for a busy summer travel season, non-EU travelers should be ready for long waits at airports. The continent is rolling out a new biometric entry system, the Entry/Exit System (EES), aimed at tracking the movement of non-EU visitors.
Travel expert Ash Bhardwaj experienced unexpected delays during a recent trip to Oslo. Instead of the quick border crossing typical of Norway, he faced a lengthy hour-long wait. This situation reflects a broader trend; many non-EU travelers have encountered significant delays, resulting in missed connections and chaos at airports.
The EES is designed to digitally record biometric data from non-EU visitors, including fingerprints and facial recognition, to monitor their stay within the Schengen Area. While this system aims to streamline entry and exit, its implementation has been problematic. Non-EU visitors must currently register their fingerprints and take a photo in person, leading to massive queues at borders.
According to Airports Council International (ACI), the wait times at airports where the EES is active have surged by up to 70%. In peak periods, travelers have reported waits of up to three hours in cities like Geneva. In December, Lisbon Airport temporarily suspended the EES due to wait times exceeding five hours, causing numerous passengers to miss flights.
Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of Advantage Travel Partnership, noted the varied impact of the EES rollout, with delays differing by time of day and location. Experts predict that as the system becomes fully operational by April 10, 2024, the situation may worsen with increasing summer travel volumes.
Advice for Travelers
Given these anticipated delays, experts recommend that non-EU travelers allow extra time when planning their journeys. Here are some tips to help navigate the potential chaos:
- Give Yourself More Time: Especially if flying into major hubs, add extra hours to your schedule.
- Know the Rules: Even if you have registered with EES, you will still queue with those who have not.
- Choose Long Layovers: Opt for flights with extended layovers to minimize the risk of missing connections.
- Stay Updated: Keep in touch with your airline and airport for real-time information on queues and delays.
- Consider Off-Peak Travel: Traveling during the off-season or after the peak of summer may result in less waiting time.
- Utilize EU Passports: If you possess an EU passport, use it to bypass the EES process.
Experts recommend adding at least four hours of buffer time to travel plans. Non-EU travelers may also find that even after completing the EES registration, they will still join the same queues as first-time visitors.
The EES system is intended to enhance security and efficiency, but it has also raised concerns about the reliability of technology. Bhardwaj warned that technical failures with the registration kiosks could lead to a return to manual processing, compounding delays, especially given the current shortage of border guards reported at many airports.
During peak travel seasons, the European Commission has suggested that border authorities might temporarily suspend EES for up to six hours to alleviate congestion, although travelers will not know if this is implemented until they arrive. The new system is also expected to replace traditional passport stamps, although some manual stamping may continue during this transitional phase.
Looking ahead, travelers should prepare for upcoming changes. The successful implementation of the EES will pave the way for the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which will require travelers from over 60 visa-exempt countries to apply for pre-travel authorization starting in late 2026.
In conclusion, while patience will be essential for travelers this summer, being proactive and informed can help mitigate the impact of the new EES on European travel.
Source: Bbc News