Frankfurt Airport. Photo: Hans Elmo / Shutterstock.com European airports are warning that travelers could face increasing delays this summer as new border control procedures linked to the European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES) continue to create operational challenges across the continent.
The warning comes from ACI EUROPE, the trade association representing European airports, which says the upcoming border system is already causing disruption for passengers and airlines and could become a much bigger issue during the peak travel season.
In its latest traffic report, ACI EUROPE revealed that passenger traffic across Europe's airport network fell by 0.7% in April compared to the same month last year. While the decline was relatively small, it marked the first year-on-year drop in European airport passenger traffic since the aviation industry's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic began in April 2021.
ACI EUROPE Director General Olivier Jankovec said the industry's most immediate concern is not demand, but the impact of border procedures associated with the EES rollout.
"Unless authorities are allowed to introduce greater flexibility, including fully suspending the system where operationally necessary, disruptions for passengers will intensify over the coming weeks and months," Jankovec said.
He warned that the situation could become increasingly difficult for airports and airlines if no adjustments are made.
"For many airports and airlines, the situation risks becoming unsustainable," he said.
The Entry/Exit System is designed to digitally record the entry and exit of non-EU travelers entering the Schengen Area. While authorities say the system will strengthen border management and security, airport operators have repeatedly expressed concerns about its effect on passenger processing times.
Beyond border control issues, ACI EUROPE said April's traffic figures were also affected by the conflict in the Middle East, the timing of the Easter holiday, and industrial action in Germany.
Despite the overall decline, airports in Spain and Italy continued to record growth. Barcelona Airport saw passenger numbers increase by 4.1%, Madrid rose by 3.3%, and Amsterdam Schiphol posted growth of 2.7%.
German airports experienced some of the sharpest declines, with Munich down 16.4% and Frankfurt down 11%, largely due to strike action during the month.
As Europe heads into one of its busiest travel periods of the year, airport operators are calling for urgent measures to prevent long queues and disruption at border checkpoints, warning that passenger frustration could grow if processing times worsen during the summer rush.