New Border Control System Causes Delays at Airports, SSI Claims Positive Outcome
Público1 month ago
1030

New Border Control System Causes Delays at Airports, SSI Claims Positive Outcome

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airport
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Summary:

  • New border control system in Portugal causes long queues and delays at Lisbon and Faro airports

  • SSI claims system is 100% operational with no significant impact on wait times, contrary to passenger reports

  • APAL criticizes prolonged waits at Faro Airport, up to three hours, harming tourist experience and Algarve's image

  • Post-Brexit requirements for UK citizens add to the congestion at passport control

  • AIMA promotes the new system for its use of biometric data to enhance security and efficiency

The introduction of Portugal's new border control system on Tuesday, May 20, sparked frustration among passengers at Lisbon Airport, especially those arriving from outside Europe, who faced long queues and extended wait times for passport checks.

Ahead of the system's launch, the Internal Security System (SSI) had warned of potential increased processing times at document control points, particularly in international airports. This prediction came true, with reports of delays and chaos at Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon.

While the PSP's Lisbon Metropolitan Command lacked concrete data on the new system's implementation, they confirmed the occurrence of waiting lines and delays. Despite these issues, the SSI later issued a statement praising the system's operational success, claiming no significant impact on wait times compared to usual.

The Albufeira Promotion Agency (APAL) expressed concern over the situation at Faro Airport, where passport control queues stretched up to three hours, negatively affecting tourists' experience. APAL highlighted the recurring nature of these delays, especially during peak tourist seasons, and their detrimental effect on the Algarve's image.

This situation is partly due to post-Brexit requirements for UK citizens, who now must undergo passport checks upon entering Portugal, increasing pressure on airport services during high tourist influx periods.

The Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) heralded the new system as a step forward in border management, promising enhanced security and innovation through biometric data collection, including facial images and fingerprints.

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