The EU's new border system, the Entry Exit System (EES), has caused significant delays and frustration for travelers, particularly those from the UK. This technology, designed to streamline border control, has instead tripled the time it takes for Brits to get through passport control, according to a boss at Rome's main airport. The situation is so dire that Ryanair has advised passengers to prepare for extended waits, and even missed flights.
The EES requires non-EU citizens to register fingerprints and a photo upon arrival, with the information checked upon departure. While the system is intended to be efficient, it has faced numerous challenges. In Rome, passengers have reported waiting for up to two hours, with one family even missing their car and driver. The complexity of the system, combined with the high volume of passengers, has led to significant delays.
The airport's Chief Aviation Officer, Ivan Bassato, acknowledges the issues, stating that the integration with e-gates has improved things, but the overall process still takes significantly longer than before the EES implementation. He emphasizes the need for urgent fixes, including removing duplication from the process and encouraging more countries to use the EU's pre-registration app.
The situation is not limited to Rome. Portugal's Faro airport has also experienced delays, with Superintendent Pedro Oliveira attributing the issues to bugs in the system. He explains that the servers are often intertwined, and complications in one location can affect the entire system. Despite the challenges, the authorities are working to improve the situation by recruiting more border officers and allowing children under 16 to be processed by border police staff.
The EU's response to the delays has been to continue supporting member states in the system's implementation, but airports and airlines are pushing for more proactive measures. The EC has not yet agreed to allow states to suspend the process ahead of busy times, despite the ongoing issues. The EES's reliability remains a concern, and the potential for widespread disruptions is a significant challenge for the travel industry.
