European Airports Head Warns EU Border System Faces Summer Collapse
The Director General of Airports Council International (ACI) Europe has voiced profound concerns over the readiness of the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES). The automated border control programme, intended to register non-EU citizens entering and exiting the Schengen area, is slated for a staggered implementation from autumn 2024, with widespread deployment anticipated by early 2025.
Addressing the current state of preparations, he stated that he does "not know how airports will cope over the summer" of 2025, anticipating widespread operational failures and extensive passenger delays. He criticised the current strategy as an "act of pretending" the system will function adequately, urging a comprehensive re-evaluation of its rollout.
Key technical components, including biometric enrolment and verification systems, have reportedly faced significant developmental hurdles. The EES mandates that non-EU travellers, including those from the UK, register their fingerprints and facial images upon their first entry. This data will then be used for subsequent border crossings. The lack of adequate infrastructure and testing across numerous European airports suggests potential for considerable disruption, particularly at major hubs and popular tourist destinations, impacting millions of travellers and potentially undermining the efficiency of the EU's external borders.
