Brussels Airport calls for further flexibility in implementation of the new European border registration system

Brussels Airport is relieved with the postponement of the registration of biometric data in the new European border registration system, the EES. Last week, waiting times at border control for non-European passengers rose to two hours at departures and more than three hours at arrivals. For departing passengers, this leads to missed flights and delays. In the past days, 600 passengers have missed their flight. The airport is therefore urging the relevant ministers to advocate at European level for further easing of the roll-out of the EES. In addition, full staffing of all border posts by the federal police and the resumption of the use of e-gates by third-country nationals as soon as possible remain crucial to ensuring acceptable waiting times.

Over the past four days, nearly 600 passengers missed their flights and delays resulting from the border issues amounted to a total of 21 hours. This was despite the fact that, at that time, only 60% of passengers had to be registered in the EES, with partial biometrics. With waiting times of up to two hours on departure and up to 3.5 hours on arrival for non-European passengers, the decision by Ministers Quintin and Van Bossuyt to postpone the registration of biometric data in the EES was therefore absolutely essential.

As of Monday 30 March all passengers (100%) have to be registered in the EES. However, even without the registration of biometric data, the new system is causing longer waiting times. This morning, the waiting time at departure was still up to one hour and at arrival up to almost two hours. This is partly due to the longer processing time per passenger and because residents of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Singapore are currently no longer permitted to use the e-gates at border control at departure, whereas until recently they were able to do so. This means that all passengers from outside the EU must now go through the manned counters at border control.

Brussels Airport is therefore urging the Belgian government to advocate to the European Commission for a more flexible EES roll-out, particularly in view of the upcoming summer season and rising passenger numbers. In several European countries, the new system is causing excessively long queues. First, the new system must be able to be implemented in practice smoothly without operational problems before it can be fully rolled out. In addition, the airport is also calling for the use of e-gates by certain third countries to be permitted again as soon as operationally possible, at departures and at arrivals. Furthermore, despite the efforts of the Minister and the police, ensuring that all border posts are fully staffed by the federal police remains a key concern and is crucial to ensuring the smooth flow of passengers and border checks.

The airport appreciates the efforts of the aviation police and the competent ministers for Home Affairs and Asylum and Migration, but further action is needed to prevent chaos and flight cancellations in the coming weeks and holiday periods.

Efficient border control is essential for security, but also for our country’s reputation, economic growth and the airport’s position as an intercontinental hub. Brussels Airport remains committed to working with all partners to find a structural solution that ensures acceptable waiting times for its passengers.