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Olivier Jankovec Urges European Authorities to Resolve Operational Inefficiencies of the New Entry and Exit System

Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI Europe, has called on European authorities to urgently address the disruptions caused by the new Entry and Exit System (EES). The system, which has been fully operational at all external Schengen border crossing points since April 10, 2026, aims to modernize border management and enhance security. However, the organization notes that long and unpredictable queues have begun to discourage passenger travel, particularly as the aviation sector faces a slowdown due to Middle East conflicts and rising fuel costs. While the EES records biometric data and travel documents for non-EU nationals, certain categories, such as those with long-stay visas or family members of EU citizens, remain exempt. Despite these logistical challenges, tourism demand from Europe and North America remains high. Jankovec emphasized that rectifying these operational inefficiencies is critical to avoid reputational damage to European tourism and to ensure the sustainability of air traffic in the latter half of the year.

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