Portuguese authorities have suspended the implementation of the new European Entry/Exit System (EES) at Lisbons Humberto Delgado Airport for a period of three months, following serious problems caused by its pilot rollout, which led to hours-long queues and significant passenger inconvenience.
The decision, which came into force immediately in late December, áöïñÜ border controls for arrivals from non-Schengen countries at Portugals largest and busiest airport. The aim is to restore smooth passenger flow while operational shortcomings revealed during the systems implementation are addressed.
The limited introduction of the EES in Lisbon coincided with increased holiday-period traffic, resulting in waiting times at passport control stretching to several hours. Authorities determined that existing infrastructure and available staff were insufficient to handle the additional processing time required for biometric data registration.
Immediate Suspension and Emergency Measures
The suspension of the EES at Lisbon Airport was decided by the Portuguese government in cooperation with border security services, following escalating congestion during peak hours. During the three-month pause, border checks have reverted to the previous manual procedures, without affecting the countrys overall commitment to implementing the system at national level.
At the same time, control points have been reinforced with additional personnel. Members of the National Republican Guard (GNR) have taken on a supporting role alongside the Public Security Police (PSP), which is responsible for passport control at airports. According to government officials, projects are underway to expand the physical and electronic capacity of border controls, with an estimated increase in processing capability of approximately 30%.
Problems Arising from the Implementation of the EES
The EU Entry/Exit System is designed to replace passport stamping with digital registration of travelers from third countries, including fingerprinting and facial recognition. Its objective is to enhance security, combat fraud, and enable more accurate monitoring of length of stay within the Schengen Area.
However, the initial registration of passengers requires more time, particularly at airports with a high volume of intercontinental flights. In Lisbon, passengers reported hours-long waiting times, while airlines warned of missed connections and disruptions to flight schedules.
European Oversight and Reactions
The situation drew the attention of European institutions, with the European Commission noting in a December report serious deficiencies in the airports border control procedures, including simplified practices applied without prior notification. Portuguese authorities acknowledged the issues and assured that corrective measures are being taken.
The three-month suspension forms part of an emergency plan that has been communicated to European authorities. The government emphasizes that this is not a retreat from implementing the EES, but a necessary adjustment to ensure compliance with European standards.
Impact on Passengers and Infrastructure
Lisbon Airport handles more than 30 million passengers annually and serves as the countrys main international gateway. Its limited capacity and aging infrastructure have repeatedly been the subject of criticism, with the recent problems reigniting debate over the need to modernize and strengthen the capitals aviation capacity.
During the suspension, arrivals from non-Schengen countries will continue to be processed under the previous procedures, with authorities warning of variable waiting times. The reintroduction of the EES is expected to take place gradually, once it is ensured that processing times remain within acceptable limits.
Lisbons experience is now considered a test case for the entire European Union, as the continents major airports prepare for the full implementation of the new system, seeking to strike a balance between enhanced security and efficient passenger service.
