Zurich Airport is gearing up for potential travel chaos as the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) rolls out in November. This system, designed to streamline and track the entry and exit of non-EU citizens, will introduce stricter border checks that could lead to significant delays at Switzerland’s busiest airport.
The EES requires non-EU travelers to undergo additional steps upon entering Switzerland or any other Schengen Area country. This includes scanning their passports at designated kiosks, having their photographs taken, and providing fingerprints. This initial check, which also involves answering questions about the purpose and duration of their visit, is expected to take significantly longer than current passport checks.
Zurich Airport officials estimate that the new process could extend the time for checking a passenger’s passport from an average of 24 seconds to 93 seconds for first-time entries. For subsequent entries, the time could drop to 67 seconds, as travelers would not need to provide fingerprints again unless they renew their passports. Nevertheless, this still represents a substantial increase in processing time, which could lead to longer queues and delays, especially during peak travel periods.
To mitigate the anticipated delays, Zurich Airport plans to hire over 70 additional staff, including 30 border officers and 41 assistants. However, the airport management has yet to confirm when these new personnel will start, leaving some uncertainty about whether the airport will be fully prepared for the EES launch in November.
Zurich Airport’s readiness for this new system is particularly crucial as it serves as the home base for SWISS, Switzerland’s national airline. SWISS has already had a challenging summer with nearly half of its flights delayed between June and July, averaging 40-minute delays. Factors contributing to these delays include wind conditions and a complex runway system. While the airport is working on lengthening two of its runways to address these issues, this project will take place over the next decade, potentially causing additional disruptions in the short term.
The implementation of the EES comes at a time when flight delays are already a common occurrence across Switzerland. A study by FlightRight found that 40.43% of flights from Swiss airports arrived at their destinations more than 15 minutes late. This statistic highlights the ongoing struggles faced by the Swiss aviation industry in managing on-time performance.
The introduction of the EES system could have a significant impact on travel throughout Europe. Travelers, especially frequent flyers, may need to adjust their schedules and allow extra time for the new procedures. The extended processing time could affect transit flights, making it harder for passengers to navigate through airports within their layover windows. The delays could also impact business travelers, tourists, and the travel industry’s operational side, including airlines, tour operators, and hospitality services that depend on smooth airport operations.
The global implications of the EES rollout are considerable. Europe is one of the world’s busiest travel regions, and the Schengen Area is home to some of the globe’s most important aviation hubs. With millions of non-EU travelers passing through these airports each year, the introduction of biometric border checks could set a new precedent for border security worldwide.
As Zurich Airport prepares for the launch of the EES in November, travelers should anticipate longer wait times at immigration and possible disruptions to their travel plans. The new biometric checks, designed to improve security, will introduce new layers of complexity for non-EU passengers, potentially impacting the broader travel experience. While Zurich Airport’s efforts to hire additional staff may help manage the expected delays, the coming months will reveal how well the airport can adapt to these changes. For the travel industry, the rollout of the EES system marks a shift toward more comprehensive security protocols that will affect travel patterns, operational efficiency, and passenger satisfaction. As these changes unfold, both travelers and the industry will need to adjust to the new normal in air travel.
