Fix airport queues by Christmas, migration commissioner tells Brussels Airport
“Member states had enough time to prepare themselves" for the EU's Entry/Exit System, says Magnus Brunner. "It has to work."
EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner has urged the EU to "do its job" to prevent airport queues over Christmas, focusing criticism on Brussels Airport for handling the new Entry/Exit System. The system, rolled out a year ago, records non-EU visitors' fingerprints and facial images, but has caused long waits at many airports.
Brunner blamed national authorities and airports for the system's problems, stating that they agreed to the new system and now must execute it. The EU official also defended the digital border system, claiming it works and is the most modern border management system in the world. He offered support from border agency Frontex and funding to help countries implement the system, expressing confidence that issues would be resolved before the next holiday rush.
Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin countered that Brussels Airport must make significant changes, as the airport can only process 500 to 600 non-Schengen passengers per hour compared to the 3,500 that may arrive on busy days. The system has processed nearly 230 million entries and exits, refused entry to about 80,000 people, and led to over 3,000 individuals choosing to return voluntarily to Morocco in Ceuta. This migration issue will be a key topic at the EU leaders' summit in Brussels.
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