Echoing UK industry concerns, Euronews reports that European airports are lobbying Brussels for formal “flexibilities” that would allow member states to suspend or limit biometric checks during peak periods if congestion becomes “unsustainable”. Olivier Jankovec of ACI Europe told the broadcaster that without a safety-valve, summer waits could climb to five or even six hours. (euronews.com)
The European Commission said member states already possess limited discretion to slow the ramp-up until September, but operators say the guidance is ambiguous and urges a legally watertight derogation. Lisbon Airport has twice halted EES processing after queues spilled into air-side retail areas, and Palma de Mallorca has mothballed several kiosks pending software fixes. (euronews.com)
![Airports call for power to pause EES roll-out to avert ‘five-hour’ queues]()
In the meantime, VisaHQ can act as a critical buffer for firms trying to keep mobility programmes on track. Its UK portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) delivers live alerts on Schengen policy shifts, advises on biometric enrolment requirements, and streamlines visa and passport renewals for traveling staff—helping companies sidestep airport bottlenecks before they occur.
Why it matters for UK mobility managers: although the debate is Brussels-centric, any formal pause would dramatically improve the travel experience for British passport holders, who make up the largest cohort of “third-country” leisure travellers to Spain, Portugal and France. Conversely, the absence of a pause would force companies to budget for guaranteed overtime and accommodation for employees whose return flights are delayed.
Travel security teams should monitor Commission communiqués and consider switching critical assignments to non-Schengen destinations (e.g., Ireland, Croatia’s non-Schengen airports) if clarity is not achieved by Easter.
The European Commission said member states already possess limited discretion to slow the ramp-up until September, but operators say the guidance is ambiguous and urges a legally watertight derogation. Lisbon Airport has twice halted EES processing after queues spilled into air-side retail areas, and Palma de Mallorca has mothballed several kiosks pending software fixes. (euronews.com)
In the meantime, VisaHQ can act as a critical buffer for firms trying to keep mobility programmes on track. Its UK portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) delivers live alerts on Schengen policy shifts, advises on biometric enrolment requirements, and streamlines visa and passport renewals for traveling staff—helping companies sidestep airport bottlenecks before they occur.
Why it matters for UK mobility managers: although the debate is Brussels-centric, any formal pause would dramatically improve the travel experience for British passport holders, who make up the largest cohort of “third-country” leisure travellers to Spain, Portugal and France. Conversely, the absence of a pause would force companies to budget for guaranteed overtime and accommodation for employees whose return flights are delayed.
Travel security teams should monitor Commission communiqués and consider switching critical assignments to non-Schengen destinations (e.g., Ireland, Croatia’s non-Schengen airports) if clarity is not achieved by Easter.
