The chief executive of Fraport Greece, Alexander Zinell, has called for a major overhaul of the European Union's new border checks, describing the system as "unpleasant and dangerous" for passengers. His 14 Greek airports have been forced to erect gazebos to shield travelers from the sun while they wait in lengthy queues for processing.
System flaws exposed during peak season
The Entry-Exit System (EES), rolled out last October, requires non-EU passengers to provide fingerprints and a photograph upon entry and each time they leave or re-enter the Schengen zone. Zinell noted that vulnerable individuals have been prioritized through security to ensure safety, but the overall situation remains critical. "It is very unpleasant for passengers, and even dangerous," he said.
Greek authorities have indicated that police will not check UK passengers in practice, though no blanket legal exemption exists. British tourists form the majority of non-EU travelers at Zinell's airports, which include Corfu, Rhodes, Mykonos, and Crete.
Temporary fixes insufficient
Border police currently have flexibility under EU rules to suspend checks during peak queues, but that right expires in September. Zinell stated this temporary measure is the only thing preventing the system from collapsing. "These are just temporary fixes; the system needs to be overhauled," he told the Financial Times. "It needs a new version, an update, and probably a reconfiguration to allow people to register before they fly, before they get on a plane, before they go to the airport."
Growing industry pressure
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called for the new controls to be suspended until next summer due to fears of chaos in holiday hotspots. IATA reported last week that passengers experienced "delays and missed connections" in Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Belgium. Ryanair warned of "queue chaos" at airports including Alicante, Málaga, and Palma.
British cross-Channel ferry passengers also face potential long delays unless French border police suspend EES. The Home Office has promised to push for checks to be paused at Dover after warnings of "utter chaos and miles of tailbacks" with peak holiday traffic expected from July 17. The port of Dover reported that EES checks during the May half-term holiday caused four and a half hours of delays, and it expects nearly 50% more vehicles during peak periods starting July 17.
EU resistance to suspension
While EU authorities have admitted the system is "not perfect," they have rejected calls for a temporary suspension. Officials stated that out of 1,500 border crossing points, only 20 are "difficult spots" and will pressure member states to implement measures to ease the strain.
