EU Border Delays at Berlin Airport Cause Concern
The head of Berlin Airport has reported that non-EU nationals arriving in the German capital face queues of up to two hours due to a new digital border system. Aletta von Massenbach warned that the situation is "not bearable over the summer".
Von Massenbach told the BBC that at one terminal in Berlin, where Ryanair and Wizz Air operate, waiting times range from "an hour to two hours".
Under the European Union's new Entry-Exit System (EES), travellers from outside the bloc must register biometric information upon entering most European countries, which is then checked upon departure.
Airports and airlines have expressed concerns that the system is not functioning effectively. The European Commission (EC) has indicated its willingness to provide additional support.
The EES aims to modernise the EU's border control system, enhancing security and ultimately facilitating smoother travel. It has been fully operational since April.
While the system has operated well in some locations, there have been frequent reports of lengthy waits at passport control, especially during peak periods.
Some passengers have reported missing flights due to delays caused by the queues.
Von Massenbach identified one problem as the use of different systems by EU countries.
"There are so many sub-systems for each and every member state," she said on the BBC's Today programme. "We see that the complexity doesn't really support smooth processing at the border."
Personal Experience: Anne Robinson's Travel Challenges
Anne Robinson from Dunbarton has experienced the challenges of the EES firsthand, to the extent that she has decided against returning to Europe this year.
In June, she and her 13-year-old son Jack missed their flight home from Rome due to the system. They encountered difficulties upon arrival in the Italian capital.
Anne Robinson and her son Jack in Rome
"We ended up in a queue, I'd say, for about 90 minutes just to get into Rome," she said.
"Everyone was kind of surprised and complaining, because we couldn't understand why it was taking so long."
On their return flight to the UK, Robinson said they arrived at Rome airport three and a half hours before their scheduled departure.
After passing through security, they had to wait for their gate number to be announced before proceeding to the EES exit checks and boarding.
"Most of the [EES] machines were out of order. In fact, you could see a lot of machines just laying around, not working," she said.
She estimated they queued for up to 90 minutes. "You could see people getting through in front of us, and then sprinting off."
"By the time we got through, we unfortunately missed the flight."
Robinson said they had to queue again to re-enter Rome and paid £250 for a replacement flight two days later.
She attempted to claim the additional cost through her travel insurance, but the claim was rejected.
"I'm not going back to Europe this year. That was too stressful."
Concerns Over EU's New Border System
Under the EES, digital records linked to passports track when "third country" nationals—including British and American travellers—enter and leave the Schengen free movement zone, which comprises 29 European countries.
However, Airlines UK and Airlines for America have stated that the EES rollout has been inconsistent.
They added, "with peak summer travel approaching and the system not yet working as it should, airlines need the commission and member states to get serious about contingency measures and take a pragmatic look at whether the current timeline is realistic."
Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2, described the continued implementation of the policy as "baffling," particularly where it has not been robustly applied.
He suggested that pausing EES checks where systems are not ready would "result in a much better experience for holidaymakers."
Von Massenbach noted that a "very high level meeting in Brussels" took place on Wednesday, and that authorities are beginning to recognise the situation as "not bearable, not bearable over the summer."
Airports lobby group ACI Europe has written to European Commission president Ursula Von Der Leyen, reporting wait times at border control reaching up to five hours during peak traffic periods, with expectations of worsening conditions as the busiest season approaches.
The group warned that "airlines face half-empty planes at gate closing time, while passengers are stuck in border control queues."
While countries have the ability to suspend EES checks under certain circumstances, ACI Europe has argued that states should be allowed to proactively suspend the system when high passenger volumes are anticipated.
An EC spokesman stated that "all efforts are being made to limit the impact [of EES] on travellers from outside the EU."
He added that the impact has been "limited" at "most" EU airports, and where issues exist, member states have been unable to provide sufficient border guards, infrastructure, and automated equipment.
The EC continues to offer support for the new system and is prepared to increase assistance "in view of the coming summer period."
