Emma Mykytyn New EES Border System Causes Major Delays at European Airports
Passengers travelling through airports across Europe are facing lengthy queues as the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System, known as EES, is introduced during the busy summer holiday season.
The biometric border-control system records the entry and departure of non-EU travellers visiting countries within the Schengen Area. Passengers may be required to scan their passports, provide fingerprints and have a facial image taken before they can cross the border.
Although EES is intended to improve border security and replace manual passport stamping, its introduction has led to serious delays at several European airports.
We experienced these problems first-hand during our recent journey from Budapest Airport.
We arrived at the airport three hours before our scheduled departure and passed through airport security almost immediately. Everything appeared to be running smoothly, so we waited in the departure area until our gate was announced.
Once the gate information appeared, we headed towards border control. That was where the problems began.
Despite arriving at the airport with plenty of time to spare, we then spent around two hours waiting to pass through border control. The queue moved extremely slowly, leaving passengers anxious about whether they would reach their flights in time.
Our experience shows that passing through airport security quickly does not necessarily mean the stressful part of the journey is over. At airports where border control is located close to the departure gates, passengers may not be able to join the queue until their gate has been announced.
What is the EES system?
The Entry/Exit System applies to non-EU nationals travelling to participating countries for short stays. It electronically records when travellers enter and leave the Schengen Area.
At the EES kiosks, passengers may need to:
– Scan their passport
– Have a facial photograph taken
– Provide fingerprints
– Confirm their travel information
When the technology works correctly, the process can take only a few minutes. However, malfunctioning kiosks, slow passport scanners and the number of passengers being processed can quickly create long queues.
How early should you arrive at the airport?
Airlines normally recommend arriving around two hours before a short-haul flight and three hours before a long-haul journey. With the current EES delays, even arriving three hours before departure may not provide much spare time.
We arrived three hours early, passed straight through security and still faced a two-hour wait at border control after our gate was announced.
Passengers should therefore check how their departure airport operates. At some airports, border control can be completed shortly after security. At others, passengers may not be directed through passport control until the departure gate has been allocated.
Tips for passengers travelling during the EES rollout
Travellers cannot completely avoid delays, but a few preparations may make the experience less stressful:
– Arrive at the airport earlier than you normally would
– Check airport and airline updates before travelling
– Keep your passport easily accessible
– Follow signs for non-EU and non-Schengen passengers carefully
– Do not assume that clearing security means you have completed border formalities
– Head towards border control as soon as your gate is announced
– Allow extra time when booking connecting flights
– Carry water and any essential medication in your hand luggage
– Be prepared for queues even when the airport appears quiet
Passengers with connecting flights should be especially cautious. A delay at the first border checkpoint could leave very little time to reach the next departure gate.
Final thoughts
The EES system may eventually make European border crossings quicker and more secure, but its introduction has created substantial delays during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Our own experience demonstrates how unpredictable the process can be. We did everything normally recommended: arriving three hours before departure, passing quickly through security and heading to border control as soon as the gate was announced. Despite this, we still waited around two hours to have our passports checked. Not the best in a heatwave, no seating and a wibbly heart!
For anyone flying from a European airport this summer, the best advice is to arrive early, keep checking the departure screens and be prepared for a long wait at border control.
