Will the EU ruin your summer holiday?

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day, reviewed by our editorial team. Read the full piece on The Economist or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Europe’s Entry-Exit System (EES) is causing widespread delays at airports, leaving travelers stuck in long passport control lines and missing flights
• Videos circulating on social media show hours-long queues at major hubs, including Milan, where over 100 passengers missed an EasyJet flight in April

🔭 The context: The EES is part of the EU’s border management initiative aimed at tracking non-EU nationals entering and exiting the Schengen Area
• The system is designed to enhance security and streamline immigration data, but implementation challenges at airports, such as staffing bottlenecks and new verification procedures, have slowed passenger processing

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Longer airport waits contribute to inefficiencies in air travel 
• Planes idling on runways and extended boarding delays increase fuel burn and carbon emissions per trip, highlighting how operational disruptions can amplify aviation’s environmental footprint

⏭️ What’s next: Airports and EU authorities are under pressure to optimize EES processes
• Investments in automated border control gates, staff training, and improved scheduling may reduce queues, but travelers should expect delays to persist during peak holiday periods

💬 One quote: “In April more than 100 people missed an EasyJet flight from Milan to Manchester after getting stuck in the crowds.” – The Guardian

📈 One stat: 100+ passengers – Number of travelers who missed a single flight at Milan airport due to EES-related delays

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