Stop pretending EU's new border system is working, says airports chief

Why It Matters

This news matters significantly because the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) will directly impact millions of non-EU travelers, including those from the UK, US, and other countries. If the system is not ready, as the airports chief suggests, it could lead to severe and prolonged delays at border controls across Europe, especially during peak travel seasons. This would affect tourism, business travel, and the overall efficiency of European airports, potentially causing economic disruption and significant inconvenience for passengers for years to come.

Key Takeaways

• Europe's airports chief criticizes EU's EES.
• New border system faces readiness concerns.
• Airports fear summer travel chaos.

Full Analysis

The European Union is introducing a new digital border check system called EES (Entry/Exit System) for visitors from outside the EU, like those from the UK or US. This system will require fingerprints and facial scans. The person in charge of all European airports is very worried because he believes the system isn't ready and airports aren't prepared to handle it. He's particularly concerned about the busy summer travel season, predicting long queues and chaos at airports if the issues aren't resolved, making travel much more difficult for non-EU citizens.