IATA Warns of European Airport Delays Ahead of New Biometric Entry System

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned that travelers should expect significantly longer queues at European airports as member states prepare for the implementation of the new Entry/Exit System (EES). The industry body cautioned that a lack of preparation among national governments could lead to severe operational disruptions at major transit hubs. \n\n Biometric Data Requirements \n The EES is an automated IT system designed to register non-EU nationals, including those from the UAE, traveling for short stays in the Schengen Area. Once active, the system will replace manual passport stamping with a digital record. However, first-time travelers under the new rules must provide biometric data, including four fingerprints and a facial scan, at the border. \n IATA Director General Willie Walsh has flagged that these requirements will substantially increase processing times. Current estimates suggest the first-time registration could add several minutes per passenger, a factor that threatens to overwhelm border control points that are already operating at capacity. \n\n Infrastructure and Staffing Gaps \n The warning centers on the readiness of airport…