Portugal sees easing of airport passenger‑control queues

Interior Minister Luís Neves told parliament that waiting times at Portuguese airports are improving, saying the country is now "seeing the light at the end of the tunnel." The government has launched an operation to reduce passenger‑control queues, adding more staff, e‑gates and technical resources at Lisbon Airport since late May. The new European Entry/Exit System (EES), fully operational from 10 April 2024, had previously lengthened border checks, especially for non‑Schengen travellers. In response, the Public Security Police have temporarily suspended biometric data collection in cases of excessive delays. From 3 July, an additional 360 police officers will be deployed to airports to support the effort.