The European Union's (EU) digital border control system, the Entry/Exit System (EES), is causing serious disruptions in the travel sector. Airport and airline representatives warned that passengers are facing queues of up to five hours and that planes are having to take off half-empty, saying the situation has reached a "critical point".
In an open letter published on Wednesday, the European Airport Council (ACI Europe), Airlines for Europe (A4E), and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) called on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The letter stated that the current implementation of EES is "causing serious operational consequences, victimizing passengers, and placing unsustainable pressure on border authorities, airports, and airlines".
Industry representatives stated, "We therefore demand that you urgently intervene before the situation worsens during the busy summer travel season."
Highlighting that European airports are expected to handle 40 million more passengers in July and August compared to the previous two months, the lobby groups stressed that EU leaders "must take into account the reality of the current situation and the picture our air transport system will face in the coming weeks".
Warning that "without additional flexibility, the current difficulties will inevitably intensify," the representatives said, "As representatives of the European aviation industry, we have a responsibility that this will further worsen an already very difficult situation for passengers."
Pointing out that travel disruptions are damaging the reputation of the EU and European tourism, the industry groups said it is vital that the continent remains an "efficient, welcoming, and competitive" destination. "There are reports that some international travelers are reconsidering their European trips due to the prospect of excessive border delays," they added.
The lobbyists stated that until the EES stabilizes and adequate staffing levels are ensured, EU member states must immediately be granted the flexibility to "fully suspend" the system in cases where passenger numbers exceed the "operational capacity" of border facilities.
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the world's largest tourism industry representative body, also announced its support for the letter the same day. WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara warned that delays could put up to 41 million arrivals and $45.4 billion in visitor spending at risk, saying, "If long delays become an accepted practice, travelers will go elsewhere. Europe cannot jeopardize its competitiveness or the experience it offers to millions of visitors."
The European Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the issue.
The EU had started the phased rollout of EES in October to replace passport stamps. The system records each traveler's name, passport details, fingerprints, facial image, and the dates and places of entry and exit.
Though the European Commission announced in April that EES was "fully operational" across the Schengen Area, it is noted that since the start of the implementation, it has led to long delays, with many passengers missing their flights.
