The chief executive of Fraport Greece, which manages 14 airports including those on Corfu, Rhodes, Crete, and Mykonos, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of the European Union’s new smart border system, citing critical operational shortcomings. Alexander Zinell warned that the EU’s entry-exit system (EES) is causing significant delays and disruptions that threaten the smooth functioning of airport operations during peak travel periods.

Implemented initially in October and fully activated in April, the EES requires passengers to undergo biometric checks involving fingerprinting and facial recognition through automated booths. However, the new system has led to long queues, technical malfunctions, and in some cases, passengers being unable to board flights on time. Zinell highlighted that planes have been forced to depart without some travelers due to processing delays, placing strain on airport staff and infrastructure.

The delays have been especially pronounced in Greece during the summer months when tourist traffic surges. At several airports, passenger lines have extended onto airport tarmacs under intense heat, prompting the erection of temporary gazebos to provide shade. The airports have also appointed “queue walkers” to assist vulnerable passengers by expediting their passage through the lines. Zinell described the conditions as “very unpleasant” and potentially hazardous for travelers.

Adding to the pressure, Greek police have temporarily suspended biometric checks for UK citizens—who represent the majority of non-EU visitors at Fraport’s airports—throughout the summer season. Zinell noted that this exemption has been crucial in preventing a total collapse of airport processing but described it as a short-term fix rather than a sustainable solution.

Zinell urged the European Commission to introduce a new version or reconfiguration of the EES, advocating for a system that allows passengers to complete registration procedures prior to arriving at the airport. He emphasized that current airport facilities were not designed to accommodate prolonged processing times and that any significant increase in the average processing duration would require proportionally larger spaces to handle passenger flow.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen acknowledged last week that technical issues with the EES have hindered its operation but did not specify plans for immediate revisions. Meanwhile, airports under Fraport Greece’s management continue to grapple with the challenges posed by the current system during one of the busiest travel seasons in recent years.