ACI EUROPE warns of EES disruption and urges EU to prioritise aviation competitiveness

At ACI EUROPE’s Annual Congress in Prague, ACI EUROPE President and Fraport CEO Stefan Schulte warned that the implementation of the Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) is creating severe operational challenges at European airports, with passengers already experiencing lengthy queues at peak times. He called for greater flexibility to allow border authorities to suspend the system when necessary and urged a review of EES procedures to prevent further disruption during the busy summer season.

Looking ahead to the European Commission’s forthcoming Aviation Strategy, Schulte argued that EU policy must place greater emphasis on aviation’s contribution to competitiveness, economic growth and regional cohesion. While acknowledging the need to address environmental impacts, he stressed that air connectivity remains essential for the Single Market, tourism, investment and employment.

ACI EUROPE identified five priorities for the new strategy: preserving and optimising airport capacity through reform of EU slot rules; maintaining a stable regulatory framework to support the €360 billion of airport investment needed over coming decades; safeguarding regional connectivity through continued support for smaller airports; promoting innovation in areas such as air traffic management, security technologies and biometrics; and accelerating decarbonisation through stronger financial incentives, including greater support for sustainable aviation fuels.

Schulte also warned that revising the EU Airport Charges Directive could undermine investor confidence and jeopardise infrastructure projects, while extending the EU Emissions Trading System to all departing flights would risk weakening the competitiveness of European aviation.