Airlines and airports have called for the suspension of the new EU biometric border check system during the peak summer holiday period. They warn that long queues are causing flights to leave half full, with some passengers facing wait times of up to five hours. The request was made in a letter to Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, as industry groups expressed concern over the operational capacity of border control facilities.
Key Details
The groups, including ACI Europe and Airlines 4 Europe, stated that the current situation has reached a 'critical point.' They reported that passengers have been forced to queue outside terminal buildings and on exposed aprons due to slow processing times. Some flights have been delayed as airlines wait for passengers stuck in border control lines. The letter requests that checks be suspended whenever passenger volumes exceed the operational capacity of border control facilities during July and August.
Background
The biometric system, which began rollout in October, requires non-EU citizens to register with fingerprints and a photograph upon arrival. However, its implementation has faced challenges, leading Greece to temporarily suspend checks for British travelers until September to avoid summer disruptions. Earlier in May, French police also halted additional checks at the port of Dover due to similar concerns.
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Sources: theguardian.com, scmp.com.
The suspension of biometric checks could lead to increased passenger volumes and a potential rise in airline revenues as flights operate closer to full capacity. Airlines and travel-related sectors may see a positive impact if operational efficiencies improve during the busy travel season.
Watch for further updates from the European Commission regarding the decision on the suspension of these checks as the summer travel season progresses.