Airports and EU Clash Over New Digital Border Checks. Airports across Europe are warning that the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) could cause major delays for travelers, as a higher share of passengers are now required to undergo electronic border checks. ACI Europe said the system risks “wreaking significant discomfort,” with border control processing times increasing by up to 70 percent and waits reaching three hours at peak times. Under the EES, travelers from countries such as the UK and US must register fingerprints and facial images on their first entry to the Schengen area, replacing traditional passport stamps. The rollout is accelerating: after starting at 10 percent of non-EU travelers in October, at least 35 percent are now subject to the system, with full implementation scheduled by April 10. Major hubs including Brussels, Rome and Lisbon have reported staffing pressures and long queues, with Portugal temporarily suspending the system at Lisbon airport and deploying military personnel to assist border controls. Spain’s hotel industry has also raised alarms, urging authorities to add staff to avoid “recurring bottlenecks” that could leave tourists waiting more than an hour after long journeys. The European Commission has pushed back strongly, saying the system has operated “largely without issues” and that claims of widespread delays are exaggerated. Some airports, including Paris’s main hubs managed by ADP Group, say they have not seen chaos so far, highlighting a growing divide between airport operators and EU officials over the impact of EES.