The European Union's new digital border system, known as the Entry Exit System (EES), has significantly increased the time it takes for UK nationals to pass through passport control, according to a senior official at Rome's Fiumicino airport. Despite improvements, the processing time has risen from seven minutes to 20 minutes.

The EES requires non-EU citizens entering the Schengen area, which comprises 29 European countries, to register fingerprints and a photo upon arrival. This process is typically conducted via automated kiosks or with the assistance of border officers for certain travelers, such as children under 12.

Ryanair has criticized the rollout of the EES, describing it as "failed" and responsible for causing unnecessary delays and long queues. The airline has urged UK passengers traveling to Europe this summer to "allow extra time for their journey and be prepared for extended waits at passport control."

Border police at Portugal's Faro airport acknowledged that the EES technology has experienced bugs but assured that queues there would decrease quickly. Meanwhile, the European Commission (EC) stated that disruptions at most EU airports are limited and pledged to continue supporting member states in implementing the system, emphasizing, "This support will continue to the fullest extent possible."

An airport official in Rome noted, "We are not at the point where you have the same quality of the process [as] before the EES," highlighting ongoing challenges despite technological investments.

Sources