European airlines and airports are appealing to the European Union to temporarily halt its new biometric border check system during the summer peak travel season, citing significant travel disruptions due to long queues and delays. Industry representatives have reported that some non-EU passengers are enduring waits of up to five hours at border controls, with incidents of flights departing with empty seats because travelers are still stuck in line. In response to these delays, some airlines have even postponed departures to accommodate passengers still undergoing checks.
The biometric system, gradually implemented since October, mandates that non-EU travelers provide fingerprints and facial images upon entry into the EU. However, the rollout has been met with operational difficulties at airports and by border authorities. As a result, airline and airport groups have called on the European Commission to consider a suspension of these checks during the high-traffic months of July and August when passenger numbers surpass the capacity of border controls.
Operational challenges have arisen in several countries, with some locations opting to reduce or pause the biometric checks to mitigate travel disruptions during this especially busy period. These measures aim to prevent significant delays that could tarnish Europe’s reputation in the tourism sector and international travel market, as millions of additional passengers are anticipated during the summer.
The industry groups emphasize the necessity for increased staffing, enhanced technological support, and reliable automated systems to ensure the biometric checks can function effectively without causing extensive disruptions. Until such improvements are in place, the groups argue that a temporary suspension is imperative to maintain smooth travel operations across European borders.