Britons planning a trip to a popular European Union (EU) destination have been cautioned about significant delays awaiting them. Copenhagen Airport in Denmark has been experiencing extended queues at arrivals in recent days, prompting the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) to issue an official advisory.
Passengers flying to and from Copenhagen Airport from non-Schengen countries, including the UK, are encountering prolonged waits at passport control. The FCDO has engaged with relevant authorities to address this issue. Travelers needing assistance or facing tight flight connections are advised to notify airport staff in yellow vests overseeing the queues. Departing passengers to the UK and non-Schengen destinations are urged to allocate extra time for passport control queues.
The extended waiting times follow the full implementation of the EES border check system at Copenhagen Airport, which began with a partial rollout in October the previous year. Under this new system, non-EU travelers arriving from regions outside the Schengen Area, such as UK passport holders, will undergo fingerprinting at border control.
The EES system, in development for over 12 years and subject to multiple delays, was recently finalized at Copenhagen Airport. Its implementation has led to challenges across Europe, including the UK, where Dover experienced lengthy queues before the new border checks were temporarily halted due to concerns for stranded drivers in the hot weather.
Holidaymakers encountered hours-long delays at the Port of Dover, with similar disruptions on subsequent days. To alleviate congestion, French authorities suspended additional EU border checks under the EES, allowing affected travelers to board the next available ferry slot at no extra cost.
The EES process involves registering fingerprints and taking photographs of individuals from third-party countries like the UK to enter the Schengen Area, comprising 29 European nations, primarily within the EU. Airports in countries such as France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Greece reported significant delays at border checks, as highlighted by the Airports Council International (ACI).
Olivier Jankovec, director of ACI’s European division, expressed concerns about the escalating queue times, particularly during peak summer months, labeling the situation as potentially unmanageable. EasyJet’s CEO urged European member states to adopt flexibility and prevent prolonged airport queues resulting from EES, emphasizing the need for efficient border management to enhance traveler experience.
