According to Europe Airlines, thousands of flights were delayed as the EU border controls are majorly understaffed to comply with tightened immigration checks.
The flow of traffic at the European airports is impacted due to the implementation of a new EU Regulation. The airline travelers have become victim of this during this busy summer travel season.
At external borders the regulation is imposed on the reinforcement of checks against relevant databases.
Thomas Reynaert, managing director of A4E mentioned that the disruption has to be prevented along with the deployment of sufficient staff to carry out the requested checks.
A4E has requested the European Commission for a swift solution on behalf of European passengers and airlines to avoid disproportionate waiting times and disrupted flow of traffic at external borders.
The flight delays have increased by 300 per cent as compared to last year and during the peak season the travelers have to face long lines.
Airports of Madrid, Palma De Mallorca, Lisbon, Lyon, Paris-Orly, Milan or Brussels came up with shameful pictures of passengers waiting near the immigration booths and queuing up for hours.
However, there is lesser disruption as the regulation is not implemented in all member states. By October 7th the six month period to implement the regulation will end.
A4E is in favour of EU to reinforce controls at the external borders to preserve the Schengen’s free movement area but the shortage in resources is directly impacting European airlines’ operations at the European airports.
