STORY
Airlines and airport groups have urged the European Commission to suspend the EU’s new biometric border system during the peak summer travel period. Industry bodies warned of delays, queues and disruption at airports handling large numbers of non-EU travellers.
The system requires non-EU travellers to provide fingerprints and photographs. Aviation groups say capacity problems have created operational pressures and want flexibility to suspend checks when border control capacity is exceeded.
The issue is particularly relevant to British travellers because the UK is outside the EU and its citizens are covered by the new arrangements. Any disruption during the summer travel period could increase political pressure on both EU institutions and national border authorities.