EU Member States Extend Internal Schengen Border Checks, Putting Pressure on Belgium’s Business Travellers
Wallonia Updates Online Guidance for Foreign Work-Permit Applications
EU’s Biometric Entry/Exit System Replaces Passport Stamps at Belgian Borders
Latest News
Multi-Hour Queues on Day One: Belgian Airports and Airlines Demand Flexibility in EES Roll-out
ACI Europe and Airlines for Europe reported two-to-three-hour border queues and dozens of missed passengers at Brussels Airport on 10 April, the first day the EES was mandatory. They are urging the EU to let border-guard supervisors temporarily switch off biometric capture when lines become excessive, arguing that without flexibility Belgium risks cascading flight delays and reputational damage.
Business Travellers Advised to Arrive Four Hours Early as Belgian Border Biometrics Cause Delays
Business Traveller warns companies sending staff through Brussels Airport to budget up to four extra hours for border control after the EES launch. First-time biometric enrolments are lengthening queues, jeopardising tight connections and same-day business trips. Policy tweaks—earlier airport arrival, longer layovers and contingency plans—are advised immediately.
Brussels-Based Industry Groups Tell EU to ‘Press Pause’ as EES Disruptions Mount
Anadolu Agency reports that Brussels-headquartered ACI Europe and A4E are urging the European Commission to allow temporary suspension of biometric checks after the first day of EES caused flight departures without dozens of delayed passengers. The Belgian travel sector fears damage to the country’s meetings-and-events business if flexibility is not granted before the summer surge.