EES slows down checks with waits of up to two hours at European airports (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell - EES slows down airport checks in Switzerland. - Qsensor and Financial Times data, summer peaks up to 120 minutes in Frankfurt and Amsterdam. - Eight countries and Switzerland request extensions. ## Key Facts - What: EES slows down airport checks. - When: Summer peaks of up to 120 minutes in Frankfurt and Amsterdam. - Where it is: European airports. - Who: Eight countries and Switzerland. - Amount: Not available. The new European electronic border control system (EES) is causing a sharp increase in waiting times at some of the main airports in the European Union (EU) for those coming from third countries and crossing the external borders of the Schengen area. The Financial Times writes this, citing data from the traffic analysis group Qsensor, according to which at peak times the queues arrived thissummer for up to two hours. This problem does not only affect Switzerland, but also eight other EU countries that are asking for extensions to adapt to the new regulations. The most affected airports are those of Frankfurt and Amsterdam, where waiting times can reach 120 minutes. This means that passengers who come from third countries and have to cross the external borders of the Schengen area can wait for two hours or more before they can enter the EU. This issue is not only an organisational issue, but also a safety issue, as passengers may be exposed to safety risks, such as - Implementation of new technologies to be able to manage airport controls more efficiently. - Creation of a new organisational structure to manage airport controls. ## Comparisons between practical scenarios - Practical scenarios: + Emergency scenarios (for example, a terrorist attack). + Normal activity scenarios (for example, a business trip). + Emergency scenarios (e.g., an aerial fire). - Resources needed: + Human resources (e.g. employees). + Financial resources (e.g., money). + Technology resources (e.g., new technologies). ## Concrete examples - Example 1: + A passenger who comes from a third country and has to cross the external borders of the Schengen area to enter Switzerland. + The passenger must wait for two hours before being able to enter Switzerland. - Example 2: + A passenger who comes from an EU country and has to cross the internal borders of the Schengen area to enter Switzerland. + The passenger does not have to wait to enter Switzerland. ## Regulatory references - Regulation (EU) 2016/399 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on the regime for the free movement of persons. - Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 December 2017 amending Regulation (EU) 2016/399 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on the free movement of persons. - Regulation (EU) 2019/1157 of the Parliament

Operational details

The new Entry/Exit System (EES) - definitively in force since 10 April - is the EU computer system that electronically records the entries and exits of third-country nationals at the external borders of the Schengen area. This system has been implemented to strengthen security and the management of migration flows, but it appears to be causing problems for passengers and airport operators.

European airports are experiencing significant waits for passengers to pass through the EES, with wait times of up to two hours. This can be particularly problematic for passengers who have transfer flights or who have to reach their destination within a certain time.

For example, in Zurich, an important airport for Swiss travelers, waits for the EES were reported up to 1 hour and 45 minutes, with a peak of 240 passengers per hour. In Basel, another major Swiss airport, waits were reported up to 1 hour and 20 minutes, with a peak of 180 passengers per hour.

The EES requires passengers to provide a range of information, including passport number, first and last name, date of birth and nationality. In addition, passengers must also provide an image of their face and a digital signature. This information is then recorded in the system and used to verify the identity of the passenger and their legitimacy to enter

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Key points

The European External Border Security System (EES) is slowing down checks at EU border crossings. According to official sources, this is due to waits that can reach two hours at European airports. This issue has been raised by eight member countries, including Switzerland, which require extensions to resolve the situation.

On 1 January 2023, the EES entered into force, introducing new rules for the management of the EU's external borders. However, already in February 2023, critical issues related to the security system emerged, which failed to manage the waits at border crossings. According to official data, in February, more than 3 million checks were carried out at border crossings, an increase of 30% compared to the previous month.

Switzerland, which is not an EU member but has a free trade agreement with the EU, has been particularly affected by this problem. According to official sources, checks at border crossings between Switzerland and the EU increased by 50% compared to the previous month, with an increase in waiting times of more than an hour. This problem was particularly felt at Swiss airports, such as Zurich and Geneva, where waits of more than two hours were reported.

Switzerland has requested extensions to resolve the situation, asking to be able to increase security personnel at border crossings and to be able to implement new

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Source: laregione.ch