Airlines and airport authorities have urged the European Commission to temporarily suspend the new biometric border checks during the peak summer travel season, citing severe delays and operational challenges that threaten to disrupt passenger flows and flight schedules.

In a joint letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, industry groups including ACI Europe, Airlines for Europe, and the International Air Transport Association (Iata) highlighted queues lasting up to five hours, with some passengers forced to wait outside terminal buildings and on exposed aprons. The delays have reportedly led to flights departing while still half full, as airlines struggle to board all travelers on time.

The biometric system, which has been gradually introduced since October, requires non-European Union visitors to provide fingerprints and a photograph upon arrival at their destination airports. However, the rollout has encountered significant operational setbacks. For example, Greece has suspended biometric checks for British travelers until September, and French authorities briefly halted the procedures at the Port of Dover in May. Additionally, Rome’s airport administration recently indicated plans to suspend the system during the summer to prevent a worsening situation.

The industry groups warned that border control facilities lack the capacity to keep pace with passenger volumes during the July and August period, when European airports are projected to handle approximately 40 million more travelers than in the preceding months. They called for the ability to "completely suspend" these checks when demand exceeds operational capabilities, arguing that border authorities, airports, and airlines are currently under “unsustainable pressure.”

The letter emphasized the potential consequences of the ongoing difficulties, including passengers reconsidering travel plans to Europe due to anticipated delays. The groups expressed concern that such experiences could damage Europe’s reputation, negatively affect tourism, and undermine air connectivity.

Authorities have yet to announce how they will address these concerns ahead of the high-demand summer months, but the industry’s appeal points to the urgent need for adjustments to the implementation of biometric border controls amidst the busiest travel period of the year.