Government sources have suggested ‘more education is needed’ among British travellers following painful delays at Malaga Airport.
The comments came before a second day of reported delays at passport control on Friday.
The problems have been linked to the phased introduction of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), which began on October 20.
One Spanish Eye reader said: ‘It was the same today at passport control in arrivals.
‘It looks like they are using the new system, people are getting angry.’
Another told this paper yesterday: ‘Disgraceful. People missed the flight I was on. Why? Because passport control was useless. Disgusting way to treat passengers.’
The EES, which will fully replace passport stamping by April next year, means travellers from non-EU countries must use biometric scanners to check they have not overstayed their 90-in-180-day limit.
While waiting up to 30 minutes at passport control is nothing new for Brits, waits of over an hour or in some cases two on Thursday and Friday crossed the line.
Sources at the airport admitted to local newspaper Diario Sur that ‘there were, at times, slightly longer waiting times than usual’, although they were unable to reveal what the cause was.
They added that the implementation of the EES ‘had always been running smoothly until now’, warning that during the introduction period ‘inconveniences may arise.’
Meanwhile, sources from the provincial government of Malaga said the new EU system ‘is developing normally, which does not mean that at specific times there won’t be some congestion.’
They added that the situation mainly affects British citizens after Brexit, who they claimed ‘are not always aware that they are no longer in Schengen territory’.
They added: ‘Education on this issue is needed.’
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
