The EU's new entry-exit system, the Entry-Exit System (EES), is causing chaos for British travellers, with reports of six-hour airport queues and missed flights. This is a significant issue, especially as the system was rolled out in April, and the impact is already being felt across Europe. The International Air Transport Association (Iata) warns of a "hard risk" of long waiting times, with the system requiring fingerprints and facial biometrics upon entry. This is a major disruption to travel plans, and it's not just British travellers who are affected. The system is causing delays and missed connections in Portugal, Spain, and Italy, and the situation is likely to worsen as more people travel over the summer. The Iata vice-president, Rafael Schvartzman, criticizes the EU's approach, suggesting that instead of practical reform, aviation is being treated as a political football. He calls on European states to ensure that borders are manned sufficiently, flight schedules are known well in advance, and to proactively suspend EES checks before queues get too long. Schvartzman advises passengers to allow much more time at the airport than usual, arriving two to three hours before departures, and getting airside as quickly as possible. This is a prudent approach, but it's not a solution for everyone. Wizz Air, for example, is advising British travellers to arrive at European airports three hours before their flight departs, but this may not be enough for some passengers. The company's managing director, Yvonne Moynihan, acknowledges that lengthy delays at passport control due to EES have caused some passengers to miss return or connecting flights. This highlights the need for a more comprehensive solution to the issue. The EES is a digital border management system for all "third-country nationals" to the Schengen Area, and it's causing significant disruption to travel plans. The system is designed to improve security and border control, but it's clear that there are significant challenges in its implementation. The impact of the EES is not just a British issue, but a European one, and it's important that the EU addresses the concerns raised by the Iata and other travel companies. The situation is likely to worsen over the summer, and it's crucial that travellers are prepared for the potential delays and disruptions. The EU's new entry-exit system is a complex issue, and it's clear that there are significant challenges in its implementation. The impact of the system is already being felt, and it's important that the EU addresses the concerns raised by the Iata and other travel companies. The situation is likely to worsen over the summer, and it's crucial that travellers are prepared for the potential delays and disruptions. The EU's new entry-exit system is a complex issue, and it's clear that there are significant challenges in its implementation. The impact of the system is already being felt, and it's important that the EU addresses the concerns raised by the Iata and other travel companies. The situation is likely to worsen over the summer, and it's crucial that travellers are prepared for the potential delays and disruptions.
