Key facts
- Europe's airports lobby group warns the EU's new Entry-Exit System (EES) is causing significant delays.
- The EES requires biometric data registration for non-EU travellers entering the Schengen zone.
- Passengers have experienced hours-long queues and missed flights.
- ACI Europe's president, Stefan Schulte, called for flexibility to suspend the system during peak times.
- The lobby group urged a rethink of the EES processes to avoid further chaos and maintain the EU's reputation.
Europe's airport chief has warned that the continent's airports may not cope with significant delays caused by the new EU Entry-Exit System (EES) as the holiday season approaches. Stefan Schulte, president of European airports trade body ACI Europe, described the situation as chaotic, with passengers facing hours-long queues at peak times and missing flights. The EES, rolled out earlier this year, requires non-EU travellers to register biometric information upon entry and exit from most European countries. Schulte urged politicians to suspend the system to avoid further chaos and safeguard the EU's reputation as a welcoming destination. The European Commission has indicated it will allow temporary suspensions of the EES until September, but Schulte believes governments should intervene directly. Budget airline Wizz Air has advised passengers to arrive at least three hours before their flights due to potential delays.