Aviation groups including A4E, ACI Europe and IATA call for urgent flexibility on EES as border delays surge, warning of mounting disruption to passengers, airport operations and Europe’s global competitiveness
Europe’s leading aviation bodies have issued an open letter to Ursula von der Leyen, warning that the rollout of the Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) is causing severe operational disruption at airports, with border waiting times reaching up to five hours during peak periods. The signatories urge the European Commission to introduce immediate flexibility measures, including the temporary suspension of EES where passenger volumes exceed border control capacity, as the summer travel season intensifies.
”The current implementation of the EES is creating severe operational consequences disrupting passengers and putting border authorities, airports and airlines under unsustainable pressure. We therefore urge your immediate intervention before the situation deteriorates further during the peak summer travel season.”
Read the full International Airport Review article here.