ACI EUROPE and A4E call for urgent action to address persistent Schengen EES disruption
ACI EUROPE and Airlines for Europe (A4E) have called on the European Commission and Member States to urgently address persistent disruption caused by the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), with passenger waiting times at border control reaching up to five hours during peak traffic periods.
Nearly six months after the system’s full implementation, queues continue to cause missed flights and connections, severe terminal congestion, and significant pressure on passengers, border guards, airport and airline staff.
Despite airports’ considerable efforts to support border authorities, the disruption persists due to structural shortcomings beyond airports’ control. These include inadequate border control staffing, instability in the IT systems underpinning EES, limited deployment and use of Self-Service Kiosks and Automated Border Control gates, and shortcomings in the pre-registration app. ACI EUROPE and A4E stress that airports and airlines cannot resolve these issues alone and that the relevant authorities must act urgently to ensure effective border control.
To address these challenges, ACI EUROPE and A4E put forward a six-point plan calling for:
- Eliminating double verification;
- Optimising biometric verification;
- Preventing duplicate EES profiles;
- Upgrading the preregistration app and web portal;
- Accelerating and harmonising Automated Border Control for third-country nationals;
- Restoring the possibility to partially suspend biometric registration during periods of excessive waiting times.
ACI EUROPE and A4E urge the European Commission and Member States to implement these measures as soon as possible, in close cooperation with the aviation industry.
