EU rejects suspending biometric border controls despite 20 ‘difficult spots’

Lead

The European Union has rejected calls from airports and airlines to suspend its new biometric border controls, even as officials acknowledge problems at a limited number of crossing points and industry leaders warn of lengthy queues for non-EU travellers this summer. Under the Entry/Exit System, known as EES, non-EU nationals including British citizens must register fingerprints and a facial image on first entry to the Schengen area, with biometrics verified on subsequent exits and re-entries. The process replaces manual passport stamping and has been phased in since October, becoming fully operational in April.

As reported by The Guardian, EU officials have described the system as “not perfect” and identified “20 difficult spots” among roughly 1,500 border crossing points where queues have formed. They maintain that a full suspension is “not needed” and “not possible,” arguing that partial operation would risk stranding travellers or incorrectly recording overstays of the 90-day limit in any 180-day period. The European Commission has said disruption is limited in most EU airports and that it remains willing to offer further support to member states.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting from BBC and The Guardian has centred on the practical effects of EES for British and other non-EU passengers at airports and the Port of Dover, alongside responses from airport operators, airlines and EU institutions. Both outlets have detailed the registration requirements and the replacement of manual stamping, while conveying industry warnings of extended waits and official reassurances that most locations are coping.

BBC coverage has highlighted specific airport experiences, including reports that the system has nearly tripled processing times for Britons at Rome’s main airport even after adjustments, queues of up to two hours for non-EU arrivals in Berlin, and technical bugs noted by border police at Portugal’s Faro airport. It has also carried Ryanair’s advice that passengers prepare for extended waits and the European Commission’s statement that disruption remains limited in most places, with continued support available.

The Guardian has focused on industry demands for change and political pressure points. It reported the EU’s rejection of suspension requests, the call by the head of 14 Greek airports for a serious overhaul, warnings of potential chaos at Dover, and statements from Rome’s airport operator that suspension may be necessary to avoid severe disruption during peak tourism months. Both organisations have noted the International Air Transport Association’s assessment that queueing times could reach several hours at some airports and have quoted airport executives describing the current arrangements as incompatible with summer volumes.

Key Claims

• The EU has rejected calls by airports and airlines to suspend implementation of the new fingerprinting and facial-recognition border controls, according to The Guardian.
• EU officials admit the entry/exit system is “not perfect” and identify 20 “difficult spots” among 1,500 border crossing points, as reported by The Guardian.
• The European Commission has said disruption is limited in most EU airports and that it is willing to offer more support, according to BBC reporting.
• The Entry/Exit System requires UK and other non-EU travellers to register fingerprints and a photo alongside a passport scan, and will replace manual stamping of passports, as explained by the BBC.
• The system has nearly tripled the time for Britons to clear passport control at Rome’s main airport even after improvements, a claim carried by the BBC.
• Ryanair has warned passengers travelling to Europe this summer to prepare for extended waits, reported by both BBC and The Guardian.
• Non-EU nationals arriving in Berlin are queuing for up to two hours; Berlin Airport boss Aletta von Massenbach described the situation as “not bearable over the summer,” according to the BBC.
• Border police at Portugal’s Faro airport said the technology has suffered from bugs, per BBC reporting.
• The boss of 14 Greek airports, Alexander Zinell, called for a serious overhaul, saying the system needs updating to allow pre-flight registration; Greek authorities have indicated police will not check UK passengers in practice, as reported by The Guardian.
• Rome airports operator chief Marco Troncone said the system is incompatible with peak passenger volumes and that suspension for non-EU citizens would be needed to avoid a “disaster,” according to The Guardian.
• The International Air Transport Association has said queueing times could reach six hours in some airports over the summer, reported by both outlets.
• The Port of Dover said EES checks at the start of the May half-term holiday produced four-and-a-half-hour delays; home affairs select committee chair Karen Bradley urged the UK government to apply maximum pressure on French authorities, as reported by The Guardian.
• Cross-Channel ferry passengers and Dover face the risk of extensive tailbacks unless technology is fixed or checks suspended, according to The Guardian.

Perspectives

Airport and airline operators have pressed for suspension or major redesign, arguing that current biometric enrolment cannot handle peak summer volumes without dangerous or intolerable queues. Berlin Airport’s Aletta von Massenbach, Fraport Greece’s Alexander Zinell, Aeroporti di Roma’s Marco Troncone, Ryanair and the International Air Transport Association have all described delays, missed connections and the need for temporary fixes or a pause until next year.

EU institutions and the European Commission have maintained that full suspension is neither necessary nor workable across the Schengen area. Officials stress that only a small minority of border points are experiencing serious difficulty, that support for member states will continue, and that inconsistent application would create greater problems for travellers’ legal status.

At the Port of Dover, UK parliamentarians and port management have focused on French-supplied technology that has left new kiosks unused, with committee chair Karen Bradley calling for immediate pressure to resolve the issue or suspend checks before the summer peak.