EU Border System Causes Significant Delays for UK Travelers
UK travelers face tripled wait times at EU borders due to new system. Rome's main airport boss calls for urgent fixes.
POLICY WIRE — London, UK — The introduction of a new European Union (EU) border control system has led to significant delays for UK travelers, with wait times at passport control more than tripling in some cases. The head of Rome’s Fiumicino Airport has called for urgent changes to the system.
According to reports, UK travelers are now experiencing wait times of up to three hours at EU border controls, compared to the previous average of 60 minutes. The new system, which was implemented earlier this year, aims to streamline border processes across the EU. However, its rollout has been marred by technical issues — and inefficiencies.
Fabrizio Palumbo, the CEO of Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, stated that certain aspects of the system require immediate attention. “There are critical issues that need to be addressed urgently to ensure smoother operations and reduce wait times for passengers,” Palumbo said.
The delays have caused considerable inconvenience for UK travelers, with many missing flights and experiencing extended waits. Airlines — and travel agencies have reported a surge in complaints from passengers affected by the longer queues.
The EU has acknowledged the problems — and announced plans to review and refine the system. Officials are working on solutions to improve efficiency — and reduce wait times. In the meantime, travelers are advised to allow extra time when passing through EU borders.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
