Britons traveling to a popular European Union destination have received caution regarding significant delays. Copenhagen Airport in Denmark has been facing persistent lengthy lines at arrivals, prompting the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) to issue an official advisory.
Passengers entering or departing from Copenhagen Airport on non-Schengen routes, including those from the UK, are encountering extensive waits at passport control. Embassy officials are in talks with relevant authorities to manage this situation. Travelers with special needs, requiring assistance, or with tight flight connections are advised to approach airport staff in yellow vests monitoring the queue. For travelers departing to the UK and non-Schengen destinations from Copenhagen, it is recommended to allocate extra time due to potential queues at passport control.
The extended waiting times follow the full implementation of the EES border check system at Copenhagen Airport, which began rolling out partially last October. This new system mandates fingerprinting non-EU travelers arriving from outside the Schengen Area, including UK passport holders, during border control.
The EES implementation, a project over 12 years in the making and subject to multiple delays, was finalized at Copenhagen Airport last month. The system has caused disruptions across Europe, with reports of lengthy queues at various European ports and airports, including those in France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Greece.
Concerns over unmanageable queue times during peak summer months have been raised by the Airports Council International (ACI) body. Olivier Jankovec, director of ACI’s European division, expressed worries about the situation worsening. EasyJet’s CEO recently urged European member states to be flexible and prevent prolonged airport queues resulting from the EES system, emphasizing the need for timely preparation and efficient management of border controls.