Millions Of Travelers Hit By European Border System That Does Not Work

The new Entry/Exit System (EES) at European airports is causing massive problems. The system is meant to digitally track which non-EU nationals enter the union, replacing passport stamps across 29 countries. But delays have become so severe that passengers are missing flights and planes are departing without full loads.

The system registers names, passport details, fingerprints and facial scans of non-EU passengers. Brussels intended it to better secure external borders and prevent visa abuse. "But in practice it does not work at all," says Marnix Fruitema, chairman of aviation association Barin.

Implemented in April, the system is already causing major disruptions with long registration queues and huge delays for connecting passengers. "Tens of millions of passengers are missing their flights," Fruitema says. The financial damage to airport operators is mounting. Barin has sent letters to Brussels, The Hague and Schiphol urging the system be halted and reintroduced in September only when fully operational.

The problems are affecting airports worldwide from Lisbon to Athens and Frankfurt to Paris. Barin advocates reverting to the old system during long waits, a step already taken at Romes airport. With peak season approaching, Fruitema stresses this needs to be resolved within days.