ACI Europe, A4E Demand EES Fixes as Queues Hit Five Hours
Airlines for Europe and ACI Europe highlight persistent border control delays at Schengen airports, impacting travellers over a year after the system's October 2025 launch.
Industry Calls for Schengen EES Improvements
Leading aviation bodies ACI Europe and Airlines for Europe (A4E) have pressed the European Commission and Member States to address ongoing issues with the Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES).
According to a joint statement from the two industry associations, border control queues at airports across the Schengen area routinely exceed two hours, with peak periods seeing waiting times stretch to five hours.
This disruption, nearly a year after the system's full implementation on 12 October 2025, is causing significant problems for passengers, airports, and airlines, with many travellers at risk of missing flights and onward connections.
Identified Systemic Problems
Despite airports assisting border control authorities in managing congestion, ACI Europe and A4E point to several unresolved structural problems.
These include inadequate staffing at border checkpoints, instability within the EES's supporting IT infrastructure, limited deployment of self-service kiosks and automated border control gates, and deficiencies in the EU’s 'Travel to Europe' pre-registration application.
Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE, and Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director of A4E, stated that while the EES has enhanced external border security, its promise of efficient and faster border crossings remains unfulfilled, emphasising that these are no longer initial teething problems.
Six-Point Plan for Operational Reform
The associations have put forward a comprehensive six-point plan aimed at reducing processing times and enhancing the use of biometric technology while providing border authorities with greater flexibility during busy periods.
Key proposals include eliminating redundant verification steps, optimising biometric data collection and verification, preventing the creation of duplicate EES profiles for the same traveller, and upgrading the 'Travel to Europe' app and web portal.
They also advocate for accelerating and standardising automated border control gates for non-EU nationals across the Schengen zone, alongside reintroducing a partial suspension of EES biometric registration as a permanent operational flexibility measure during excessive waiting times.
Impact on Asian Travellers and Operators
The persistent EES issues directly affect Asian travellers planning trips to the Schengen area, potentially leading to longer airport processing times and increased risk of missing connecting flights, particularly at major European hub airports.
Airlines like Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Korean Air, which operate extensive networks between Asia and Europe, may face operational challenges and increased pressure to manage passenger connections efficiently.
Furthermore, tour operators in key Asian markets such as Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia must now factor these extended border control delays into their itineraries, influencing flight timings and overall trip planning for their clients and potentially impacting tourism flows from Asia to Europe.
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