Posted on Wednesday, 2 August 2017

The EU has introduced new security checks for people entering or leaving the Schengen area, of which the UK is not a member.

The additional checks aim to stop would-be terrorists, but have also caused long delays to travellers, including many from the UK. Some passengers have missed their flights as a result.

Some passengers have faced queues of up to four hours, while a number of countries have faced criticism for not increasing staffing levels to cope.

The new measures have been prompted by the terror attacks in Brussels and Paris.

Those entering or leaving the Schengen zone now face tougher checks.

Passenger details must now be run through a database in order to determine if individuals pose a security threat.

Since the UK is not a Schengen member, travellers flying from Britain to other EU countries - such as Spain, Italy and Greece - face long delays as the checks are carried out.

A body representing UK carriers, Airlines UK, said it warned the government about the issue in May. At the time Ministers told them that the potential problem had lessened.

Tim Alderslade, Airlines UK chief executive, said: "It is now up to the UK Government to work with industry to use whatever influence it can within the EU to persuade Schengen member states to resource their border operations properly."

Another group, Airlines For Europe, which represents carriers including EasyJet and British Airways' parent firm IAG, said that a number of passengers had missed flights because of the delays.

A spokesperson for the UK travel organisation ABTA commented, "Tour operators will ensure that customers get to the airport in plenty of time so that they are not in danger of missing their flights.

"However, independent travellers will need to check the situation with their airlines and, where necessary, ensure they factor these longer queuing times into their travel plans when flying in and out of the airport.

"It is also extremely important that border control check points are sufficiently resourced so that queuing times are kept to a minimum."

The situation in Barcelona Airport has been exacerbated by strike action, causing further delays.

According to ACETA, the association of Spanish air carriers, since 24 July approximately 1,000 passengers had missed their flights.

A spokesperson for Barcelona Airport's operator AENA stated that the problems began about a week ago.

She added: "They (security workers) have an official strike starting on Friday so it will continue, I think."

She said those flying to the UK from Barcelona Airport should arrive at least three hours early for their flights.

Get a Quote