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The EU’s new border system has nearly tripled the time it’s taking for Brits to get through passport control even after improvements have been made, a boss at Rome’s main airport has said.<\/b><\/p>\n
It comes as Ryanair has warned passengers travelling to Europe this summer to prepare for extended waits. <\/p>\n
Border police at Portugal’s Faro airport also told the BBC the Entry Exit System technology suffered from bugs, but insisted any queues there would go down quickly.<\/p>\n
The European Commission (EC) has said in most EU airports disruption is limited, and added that it will continue to support member states in the system’s implementation.<\/p>\n
It added: “This support will continue to the fullest extent possible.”<\/p>\n
The digital Entry Exit System (EES) requires non-EU citizens entering the Schengen area – made up of 29 European countries – to register fingerprints and a photo when they arrive. The information is checked as they leave. <\/p>\n
It’s often done using standalone, automated machines known as “kiosks” and sometimes with border officers – for example, for children under 12. The new process and machines have been phased in since October.<\/p>\n
Some European airports have seen hours-long queues at passport control. Passengers have even reported missing flights home.<\/p>\n
This week, Ryanair said “the failed EES rollout” was causing unnecessary delays and long queues. <\/p>\n
The airline said UK passengers should “allow extra time for their journey and be prepared for extended waits at passport control.”<\/p>\n
In Rome, a perennially popular destination for tourists from the UK and around the globe, everyone we spoke to in the Piazza di Spagna had an EES story.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n