The summer travel season is upon us, and with it, a growing concern over the new EU biometric border check system. Airlines and airports are sounding the alarm, calling for a suspension of this system during the peak holiday period. The reason? A potential disaster waiting to happen, with half-empty planes and passengers facing hours-long queues.
In a joint letter to Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, industry groups representing airports and airlines have highlighted the critical situation. They paint a picture of passengers waiting outside terminal buildings, exposed to the elements, as border control facilities struggle to process arrivals. The impact on airlines is significant, with planes departing half-empty and passengers missing their flights due to lengthy queues.
The Impact on Travel and Tourism
The consequences of these delays are far-reaching. Some international travelers are already reconsidering trips to Europe, deterred by the prospect of excessive border delays. This has serious implications for Europe's reputation as a tourist destination and its overall connectivity. The industry groups warn that the reputation of the European Union and confidence in its regulatory framework are at stake.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the delicate balance between security measures and the smooth flow of travel. The new system, introduced gradually since last October, aims to enhance security by requiring non-EU citizens to register with fingerprints and a photograph at their destination airport. However, the rollout has been far from seamless, with Greece suspending biometric checks for British travelers until September to avoid summer disruption.
A System in Disarray
The problems with the system are evident. Despite rules allowing countries some flexibility to skip certain checks, excessive queues continue to form. France has temporarily suspended extra checks at the port of Dover, and Rome's airports have indicated they may need to suspend the system for non-EU citizens to avoid a summer disaster.
The industry groups are calling for an immediate intervention. They propose allowing airports to completely suspend checks when passenger volumes exceed the operational capacity of border control facilities during July and August. They argue that border authorities, airports, and airlines are under unsustainable pressure and that action is needed before the situation worsens during the peak summer travel season.
A Temporary Solution?
The groups also suggest that flexibility to suspend checks should continue beyond September, when the rules allowing some checks to be skipped are phased out. They believe this should be an option under clearly defined exceptional circumstances.
European airports are expecting a significant increase in passenger numbers during July and August, with an estimated 40 million more passengers than the previous two months. The industry groups warn that the commission and member states must acknowledge the reality of the current situation and prepare for the challenges ahead.
In my opinion, this situation highlights the need for a balanced approach to security measures. While enhanced security is essential, it should not come at the cost of a seamless travel experience. The suspension of the new EU border system during the peak holiday period could be a temporary solution to prevent a summer travel disaster. However, it also raises questions about the long-term viability of the system and the need for a more sustainable and efficient approach to border control.
