Von der Leyen admits problems: Summer travel hampered by new EU controls

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has admitted that the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) is facing "technical difficulties." The system, intended to bolster security by recording biometric data of travelers from outside the European Union, has been a source of concern since its gradual implementation last year. However, issues have intensified in recent weeks due to the surge in air travel during Europe's summer tourist season.

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We still have a lot of work to do together with the member states to resolve these technical difficulties.

Airports and airlines are blaming the new border control system for multi-hour waits at border crossings, operational disruptions, and missed connecting flights. Von der Leyen stated that the Commission is working closely with member states to resolve these technical problems. Her comments signal a shift in tone, as the Commission had previously downplayed the extent of the EES's issues, with a spokesperson claiming the impact was "limited" in most European airports.

The aviation industry presents a starkly different picture. European airport association ACI Europe and airline groups IATA and Airlines for Europe warned in an open letter to von der Leyen that waiting times at border control have significantly increased, reaching up to five hours during peak travel periods. These delays affect millions of passengers entering the Schengen Area, while airports and airlines face mounting operational challenges, including flight delays, missed connections, and increased pressure on frontline staff.

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The impact of the system in most European airports is limited.

The industry groups have requested greater flexibility from the European Commission, including the possibility of temporarily suspending the EES, particularly during July and August. The EES requires non-EU travelers, such as those from the UK and the US, to register fingerprints and facial scans upon their first entry for short stays. The system replaces traditional passport stamps with digital records of entries and exits to prevent overstays and the use of forged documents. While self-service kiosks and pre-registration apps are intended to speed up the process, the system's mandatory implementation on April 10 has led to considerable backlogs.

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Waiting times at border control have significantly increased and reach up to five hours during periods of peak traffic.