The upcoming implementation of the EU's Entry-Exit System (EES) is causing significant concern among British travellers, with warnings of six-hour airport queues and potential missed flights. This new border system, which requires fingerprints and facial biometrics for all 'third-country nationals' entering the Schengen Area, has already led to delays and missed connections in Portugal, Spain, and Italy since April. The International Air Transport Association (Iata) vice-president, Rafael Schvartzman, has described the situation as a 'hard risk' and an 'unacceptable' challenge for travellers, with waiting times of three to six hours. He argues that instead of providing practical reform, the EES is being used as a political tool, and calls for European states to take proactive measures to mitigate the impact. Schvartzman suggests that without the EES, passenger processing takes 20-25 seconds, but with the new system, it can take up to 90 seconds, and technology issues further exacerbate the situation. He advises travellers to allow significantly more time at the airport, recommending two to three hours before departure, until the EES is functioning smoothly. This advice is echoed by Wizz Air, which has urged British travellers to arrive at European airports three hours before their flight departs to avoid missing their flights due to lengthy delays at passport control. The situation highlights the challenges of balancing security measures with the need for efficient travel processes, and the potential for political decisions to impact the travel experience.
