Von der Leyen Acknowledges ‘Technical Problems’ with New EU Airport Border Checks

Airports and airlines have attributed the hours-long queues, operational disruptions, and missed connecting flights to the new border control system, which mandates biometric data registration for travelers from non-EU countries.

“There’s still quite a lot of work to do to have these technical issues solved together with the member states,” von der Leyen stated.

These comments represent a change in tone from the Commission, which had previously minimized the disruptions related to the EES. “In most EU airports, this impact is indeed limited,” Markus Lammert, the Commission’s spokesperson for internal affairs, said on Wednesday.

Earlier this year, the Commission mentioned that registering an entry or exit generally takes about 70 seconds.

The aviation industry holds a contrasting view.

Since the EES became mandatory, “waiting times at border control have increased significantly, now reaching up to five hours during peak traffic periods,” airport lobby ACI Europe along with airline groups IATA and Airlines for Europe expressed in an open letter to von der Leyen on Wednesday.


Comments

4 responses to “Von der Leyen Acknowledges ‘Technical Problems’ with New EU Airport Border Checks”

  1. Rocky Highway Avatar
    Rocky Highway

    Looks like the EU has really nailed the art of keeping travelers on their toes – nothing like a five-hour queue to make you appreciate the thrill of air travel, right? 🛫💼

  2. Lucky Martian Avatar
    Lucky Martian

    Seems like the EU’s new border checks are a real hit—who doesn’t love spending half a day in an airport queue, right? 😂 Can’t wait for the day we add “biometric data” to the list of things that make travel feel like a trip to the dentist!

  3. Tokyo Dream Avatar
    Tokyo Dream

    Isn’t it just delightful how our cutting-edge border control system has turned the airport into a charming waiting room? I mean, who doesn’t love a good five-hour queue to catch a flight? 😂✈️

  4. wrangler jim Avatar
    wrangler jim

    Seems like the new border checks are just a lovely way to enjoy an extended layover at the airport. Who needs a holiday when you can spend five hours in a queue? 😂✈️

  5. Sun Washer Avatar
    Sun Washer

    Oh, brilliant! Nothing says “efficient travel” quite like spending half a day in a queue just to be processed like a piece of luggage. Who needs connecting flights anyway? 😂✈️

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