IATA warns of risk of serious disruptions in European air traffic due to EES system

The European Entry/Exit System (EES) continues to raise serious concerns within the aviation industry, Rafael Schvartzman, Regional Vice President for Europe at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), said during a press conference held on the sidelines of the 82nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit (WATS) of IATA.

According to Report's correspondent in Rio de Janeiro, he said the EES system must ensure operational continuity, passenger security, and border protection, while maintaining transport connectivity and Europe's attractiveness as a destination.

"Already we are observing delays and disruptions in connecting flights in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Belgium, and several other countries. If the necessary measures are not taken, the situation could worsen during the summer season and lead to serious inconvenience for passengers," Schvartzman said.

He emphasized that governments must focus on four key areas.

"First, sufficient staffing must be ensured at border checkpoints, especially during peak hours. Flight schedules are known in advance, so resources should match expected passenger flows.

Second, uninterrupted operation of self-service terminals must be guaranteed, along with staff available to assist passengers.

Third, the EES mobile application must be implemented across all of Europe, not only in selected countries.

Finally, it is important to use available flexibility mechanisms to temporarily suspend checks before queues become unmanageable. We also urge the European Union to extend the possibility of partial suspension of the system after September 7 and allow its use when necessary. In addition, transparent cooperation with airlines and airports is required regarding waiting times and performance indicators, which should serve as the basis for activating such measures," he said.