Spanish Airports Urge Emergency Measures as EES Queues Reach Three Hours
Hours after the Entry/Exit System went live, Spain’s airports appealed to Brussels for immediate help. Industry groups warned that the new controls were already disrupting departures and arrivals.
Early disruption and passenger delays
On 10 April, Airports Council International Europe and Airlines for Europe issued a joint alert. They said some flights departed with many empty seats because passengers missed boarding.
At Palma de Mallorca border police recorded waits up to 150 minutes. Biometric kiosks repeatedly failed for some UK leisure travellers, requiring manual processing.
Reports implied that EES queues reach three hours at peak moments. Spanish airports urged emergency measures to prevent further chaos.
Operational fixes and requests to Brussels
The aviation bodies asked the European Commission to reinstate a temporary derogation. That waiver previously allowed officers to suspend biometric capture during exceptional peaks.
The derogation expired when the system became fully operational. Industry representatives want it back while technical issues are resolved.
Domestic responses
Spain’s Interior Ministry is deploying 100 mobile enrolment teams. These units will focus on Alicante, Málaga and Tenerife Sur.
Authorities also authorised airlines to reopen check-in counters earlier. The aim is to stagger passenger flows toward border control.
Advice for travellers and businesses
Services such as VisaHQ can provide updated entry guidance and visa support. They may reduce surprises at the border for third-country nationals.
Companies moving staff or equipment through Spain in April should plan extra time. Travel managers are advised to allow at least four hours between trans‑Atlantic arrival and onward domestic flights.
Staff briefings can speed processing. Passengers must have fingerprints captured on their first trip and should remove rings and use moisturiser to aid biometric reads.
Wider implications and next steps
The roll-out is politically sensitive. Member States long argued a digital border would boost both security and efficiency.
Olivier Jankovec, director general of ACI Europe, said the industry still backs EES. He warned that security gains risk being lost if travellers divert to non‑Schengen hubs.
The European Commission is expected to reply next week. Sources in Brussels indicated any concession would be temporary and tied to airports publishing real‑time performance data.
Published by Filmogaz.com.
