**Europe’s Airports Sound Alarm: EU’s New Border System (EES) ‘Not Working,’ Summer Chaos Feared**
The head of Europe’s airports lobby has issued a stark warning regarding the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), stating bluntly that the system is not working as intended. The severe criticism highlights growing apprehension within the aviation sector as the peak summer travel season approaches.
The airports chief revealed the gravity of the situation, admitting that concerns over EES are “keeping him awake at night.” His primary worry revolves around the impending summer travel season, expressing deep uncertainty about how airports will manage the anticipated influx of passengers under the new protocols.
**Analysis:**
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is designed to register non-EU citizens each time they cross an EU external border, replacing manual passport stamps with digital records. It aims to enhance border security, identify overstayers, and streamline border crossings in the long run. However, critics, including airport officials, have repeatedly raised concerns about potential delays, insufficient infrastructure, and inadequate staffing at border control points, especially during peak travel periods.
This latest outcry from a key industry figure underscores the significant operational challenges and the perceived lack of preparedness ahead of its full implementation. The potential for widespread disruption, long queues, and passenger frustration could not only damage the passenger experience but also have economic repercussions for tourism and aviation sectors already recovering from previous crises.
The call to “stop pretending” highlights an urgent need for the EU and member states to address these operational challenges proactively. With the summer travel season just around the corner, pressure is mounting to ensure the system can cope with high volumes without causing significant bottlenecks at Europe’s external borders. Delays in addressing these concerns could lead to chaotic scenes at airports and land borders, impacting international trade and travel confidence.
