Airports Call for EU Border System Suspension Ahead of Summer Travel

European airport operators have urged the European Commission to suspend the Entry/Exit System after processing times doubled and queues reached three hours at several major hubs. The system requires non-European travelers to submit fingerprints and facial scans at Schengen borders.

The chief executive of Aeroporti di Roma said processing times at Rome Fiumicino airport have risen to 90 seconds per passenger since the system launched in April, up from an earlier target of under 60 seconds. The airport spent £10 million on preparations, yet the operator reported that daily passenger volumes of 50,000 to 60,000 cannot be handled under current conditions.

The executive stated the delays stem from the system's design rather than local implementation. Additional steps required for registration and biometric checks have lengthened each traveler's processing time, according to the same statement. Airports Council International Europe has called for the system to be suspended through at least July and August.

The group also seeks authority for airports to pause the checks in exceptional circumstances starting in September, pending fixes to staffing levels, kiosk reliability, and a pre-registration app.

Airports reporting the longest waits include Amsterdam Schiphol, Corfu, and Naples. Ryanair and Easyjet have separately requested suspension of the system. In recent months, both carriers reported instances of passengers missing flights due to border delays in Greece and France. The decision to suspend the checks rests with individual governments, not airport operators or the European Commission.