Spain and Majorca airports are taking action to reduce queues for UK tourists under the European Union Entry and Exit System (EES). Airport authority AENA has instructed staff to ease the process and cut waiting times, following complaints about long delays.
New 25-Minute Rule
Airports may temporarily divert families and passengers with reduced mobility to traditional stamping queues if biometric queues exceed 25 minutes. They may also stagger flight arrivals by coordinating with Aena's slot management team. These measures are described as "adjustments, not a suspension."
Background
The EES came into force on April 10, but Greece has since scrapped the rules for UK passengers. Airport chiefs at Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, Málaga, Alicante, and Palma confirm the technology works, but peak-time passenger volumes during Easter week overwhelmed checkpoints.
Industry Reaction
Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA – The Travel Association, said: "The ambition of EES means it was never going to go completely smoothly. However, border authorities have it within their power to ease queues – but that doesn’t seem to be happening across the board. As we head towards peak travel periods, we urge border authorities to plan and use contingency measures."
Greek Exception
While some countries are fully compliant, Greece announced British visitors are exempt from fingerprint and facial biometrics this summer. The Greek Embassy in London stated: "British passport holders are excluded from biometric registration at Greek border crossing points."
