Lisbon Airport Delays Spike as New EU Entry/Exit System Falters

A journalist highlighted a recurring scandal at Lisbon Airport, where passengers have faced delays of up to six hours, long queues of children and seniors, and chaotic checkpoint lines. The disruption is linked to the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) for passport control, which officials say is not functioning properly. Portuguese lawmaker Luís Montenegro told parliament that, should it become necessary, “we do not exclude suspending any procedure to ensure security at entry points while protecting the economy.” The article notes that the government plans to deploy additional police officers to airports and allocate significant funding to improve the system, but immediate relief for travelers remains uncertain.

The incident reflects broader concerns about border management within the Schengen area and its impact on Portugal’s tourism sector, which relies heavily on smooth airport operations.