"European airports have warned of a potentially disastrous experience for passengers and huge queues unless the new biometric controls for foreign visitors are relaxed. Most British holidaymakers to Europe will need to be fingerprinted, photographed and registered, and UK firms have reported wide divergence in how the rules have been applied since the soft launch of the scheme in October."
"The staggered start has already seen long queues at some European airports, despite provisions for border officers to relax the requirements. Currently, states only need register a minimum 35% of travellers, but in theory all passengers are due to complete the EES registration from 10 April. Border authorities are allowed to reduce the number or extent of checks or even stand down the system to avoid significant disruption and large queues."
European border authorities are implementing a new biometric entry-exit system (EES) requiring fingerprinting, photographing and registration of most foreign visitors. Travel industry leaders have called on the European Commission to instruct border authorities to stand down the EES if necessary to avoid summer disruption. The staggered rollout and varied application since the soft launch have produced long queues at some airports. States currently must register a minimum 35% of travellers, but full registration is scheduled from 10 April and authorities may reduce checks or suspend the system to prevent major disruption. Airports Council International reported delays of up to three hours in several countries, and officials cite chronic understaffing worsening queues.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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