In brief
Rome’s Fiumicino airport reports that the rollout of the EU’s Entry Exit System has tripled passport‑control times for UK travellers, with queues lasting up to two hours for families. Airport chief Ivan Bassato says that the system’s complexity and repeated server bugs are the root causes, while airline crews warn of missed flights and increased idling time. The delay not only disrupts travel plans but also adds to carbon emissions from idling aircraft engines. Authorities urge a swift fix and a more unified pre‑registration app across the Schengen area.
The newly implemented EU border system has tripled the time UK passengers at Rome’s Fiumicino airport take to clear passport control, with some families waiting up to two hours. This delay not only frustrates travelers but also forces aircraft engines to idle longer, adding extra carbon dioxide to the emissions mix.
System ‘needs fixing urgently’
Airport chief Ivan Bassato says the complexity of the system has lifted UK passport‑control times from seven minutes to roughly twenty minutes. He added, “We pride ourselves on being tech‑savvy, so a one‑to‑two‑hour queue is absolutely not okay.”
Despite an €12m investment in automated kiosks, Bukero noted many machines are still faulty, especially for children under 12 who cannot use them and must wait for border officers.
Delay impacts passenger plans
A family from Yorkshire quote their two‑hour queue: “From getting off the plane to getting through with the children it took more than expected.” Another traveller from the US missed his car hire because the passport desk queue took an hour. Airline crew warn of “unnecessary delays” and advise UK passengers to allow extra travel time.
Bugs in the system
Faro airport in Portugal reports similar glitches. Superintendent Pedro Oliveira says normally “ten‑minute queues” can extend to over thirty minutes when servers crash. He noted that shared EU servers can interdict every member state simultaneously, requiring brief system restarts. More border officers are being recruited to ease the load.
The EU Commission says disruption is limited but pledges continued support. It also highlighted the need for more countries to adopt the pre‑registration app—currently only Sweden and Portugal use it—so travelers can bypass kiosks entirely.
Passengers and airlines alike call for a swift, coordinated fix so that the new system can deliver on its promise of streamlined travel while keeping emissions low and customers satisfied.
