EU Entry-Exit System causes significant airport delays

The implementation of the European Union’s Entry-Exit System (EES) is causing severe delays at several European airports. The biometric system, which requires fingerprints and facial scans for travelers entering the Schengen area, has led to processing times that are significantly longer than initially predicted.

Brussels Airport reported that passengers arriving from outside the Schengen zone faced waits of up to five hours during a peak period in late September. Other airports, including Porto, Berlin, Lisbon, Milan Linate, and Geneva, have also reported substantial queues. In some instances, travelers have missed flights due to border congestion.

To address these issues, Brussels Airport is expanding its passport control facilities, with plans to increase the number of staffed counters to 20 by December. Long-term plans include increasing e-gate capacity by 2027. However, technical failures with pre-registration kiosks, caused by government contractors, continue to hinder the streamlining of the process.