As summer travel peaks, airlines and airports are urging the European Union to temporarily halt its new biometric border check system, citing significant delays and lengthy queues that are causing travel disruptions. Industry organizations report that some passengers are experiencing waits of up to five hours at border controls, leading to flights taking off with empty seats as travelers remain stuck in lines. In response, some airlines have had to delay departures to accommodate passengers caught up in the lengthy checks.
The biometric system, which has been rolled out since October, mandates that non-EU travelers provide fingerprints and facial images upon entering the EU. However, airports and border authorities are encountering operational hurdles as they implement the system. In light of these challenges, airline and airport groups are appealing to the European Commission to suspend the biometric checks during July and August, particularly when the number of passengers surpasses the capacity of border control facilities.
Several European countries have already faced difficulties with the new system, with some locations opting to reduce or pause the biometric checks to avert substantial disruptions during the busy summer travel season. The industry groups caution that if these delays persist, they could negatively impact Europe’s tourism sector and tarnish its reputation in international travel, especially with the influx of millions of additional passengers expected over the summer months.
To ensure a smoother operation of the biometric checks without causing major disruptions, the groups advocate for increased staffing, enhanced technology, and reliable automated systems. The current challenges highlight the need for these improvements before the system can be fully effective during high traffic periods.