New border control systems at Lisbon Airport have created chaos, with travelers from outside the European Union’s 27 countries facing extensive delays, and reports of fainting have emerged.
The disruption began more than a week ago due to interventions in the computer system, coinciding with the launch of new border control machines, according to reports. The system’s new method of document evaluation may be contributing to the prolonged wait times, with accounts from individuals who have experienced adverse reactions.
“Terrible experience,” remarked a passenger during an interview while waiting.
The Internal Security System (SSI) confirmed on Wednesday the successful completion of the implementation of the ‘VIS4EES,’ ‘Passe+,’ and ‘Portal Fronteiras’ systems at European air and maritime borders.
A joint statement from all agencies within the SSI announced that operations completed overnight on Tuesday were deemed successful, with all planned tasks executed efficiently, both technically and operationally.
The announcement clarified that monitoring of the operations will continue in the coming days, with full coordination between national entities responsible for border control and migration.
In a positive assessment, the SSI assured that the new systems are “100% operational,” with no service interruptions recorded, and an effective validation of biometric components and interoperability among the different platforms involved.
The SSI emphasized continuous optimization of the average document validation time without compromising security standards or significantly impacting customary wait times.
As next steps, the results will be analyzed and considered alongside competent national and European authorities.
The statement highlighted that this milestone is part of Portugal’s strategy to prepare for the new European border control framework, ensuring improved innovation, interoperability within the Schengen area, and enhanced security.
The SSI noted that the coordinated involvement of all entities allowed for successful testing of the robustness, efficiency, and scalability of the implemented solutions, positioning Portugal in a prominent place in Europe for complying with this operation.
These systems provide a more automated, rigorous, and efficient management of the entry and exit of national and foreign citizens in the Schengen area, directly impacting visa control, biometric registration, and the travel history of third-country citizens.
