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🇶🇦 Qatar /Economy & Trade

EU border system causing travel chaos, industry warns

From Al Jazeera · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • European airlines and airports warn the EU's new digital border system is causing severe travel disruptions.
  • Industry groups are calling for flexibility to suspend the Entry/Exit System (EES) during peak travel times to avoid further chaos.
  • They caution that ongoing delays are undermining the EU's reputation as a tourist destination and could deter international travelers.

Europe's aviation sector is sounding the alarm over severe travel chaos caused by the European Union's new digital border check system. Airlines and airports report passengers facing five-hour queues, leading to flights departing half-empty. Industry representatives have issued a joint letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, calling the situation "critical."

The current implementation of the EES is creating severe operational consequences, disrupting passengers and putting border authorities, airports and airlines under unsustainable pressure.

— Airports Council International Europe, Airlines for Europe, and the International Air Transport AssociationIn a joint letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, outlining the impact of the new digital border system.

The open letter, signed by top bodies including Airports Council International Europe, Airlines for Europe, and the International Air Transport Association, highlights "severe operational consequences" and "unsustainable pressure" on border authorities, airports, and airlines. They urge immediate intervention before the peak summer travel season intensifies.

We therefore urge your immediate intervention before the situation deteriorates further during the peak summer travel season.

— Airports Council International Europe, Airlines for Europe, and the International Air Transport AssociationIn a joint letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, urging action to address travel disruptions.

With millions more passengers expected in July and August, the groups warn that "existing challenges will inevitably intensify" without additional flexibility. They stress the importance of maintaining Europe's reputation as an "efficient, welcoming and competitive" destination, noting that some international travelers are already reconsidering trips due to potential border delays.

Without additional flexibility, existing challenges will inevitably intensify.

— Industry representativesWarning about the worsening situation during the peak summer travel season.

To mitigate the disruption, the industry is requesting flexibility for EU member states to "completely suspend" the new Entry/Exit System (EES) whenever passenger numbers exceed the operational capacity of border facilities. This measure would be in place until the system's stability is ensured and adequate staffing is secured.

Reports already suggest that some international travellers are reconsidering trips to Europe because of the prospect of excessive border delays.

— Industry representativesHighlighting the negative impact on Europe's tourism reputation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Al Jazeera in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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