If you were planning a breezy summer getaway to Europe, you may want to pack extra snacks, a folding chair, and a copy of War and Peace - because the EU's new Entry-Exit System (EES) is shaping up to be a masterclass in bureaucratic chaos.
The head of Berlin Brandenburg Airport has fired a warning shot at EU authorities, telling the BBC that the delays expected under the new biometric border system would simply not be "bearable" over the summer travel season. And when an airport boss - someone professionally trained to stay calm about lost luggage and runway backlogs - says something is unbearable, you probably want to listen.
So what even is the EES?
The Entry-Exit System is the EU's ambitious new border registration programme, designed to track non-EU travellers entering and leaving the Schengen zone. Instead of the traditional passport stamp, travellers will have their fingerprints scanned and photos taken at the border. The goal is to crack down on overstays and improve security. Noble stuff, in theory.
In practice, critics have been warning for months that the sheer volume of summer tourists - combined with the additional time each biometric check takes - could turn border crossings into something resembling a theme park queue, minus the fun ride at the end.
The timeline keeps slipping
The EES has already been delayed multiple times since it was first announced. It was originally supposed to launch years ago, and each postponement has been met with a mixture of relief and exasperation from airports and travel industry groups across Europe. According to the BBC's reporting, the system is still not fully ready for the kind of passenger volumes a peak summer season would throw at it.
Berlin's airport chief is not alone in sounding the alarm. Aviation and travel bodies across Europe have repeatedly flagged that infrastructure at many border points simply has not been upgraded enough to handle the new process without significant slowdowns.
What this means for you, the humble holidaymaker
If you hold a non-EU passport - that includes British travellers post-Brexit, Americans, Australians, and pretty much anyone outside the Schengen club - you will be subject to the new checks. EU citizens pass through as normal. So yes, the queues will be somewhat tiered, which will make for some very interesting airport vibes.
Authorities have not yet confirmed a hard launch date that would coincide with summer 2025 peak travel, but the warnings are already flying fast. The BBC reports that airport operators are urging EU officials to either delay the rollout further or massively accelerate infrastructure upgrades before the summer rush hits.
Either way, maybe book a window seat. You might be staring out of it for longer than expected.
