A delay in rolling out the European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES) at Thessaloniki's "Macedonia" airport has left newly installed infrastructure unused, exposing a gap between investment and operational reality. Travellers arriving from outside the EU report that modern biometric control machines are turned off while conventional passport control desks remain operational, resulting in long queues. The system, part of the EU's "Smart Borders" initiative aimed at speeding up border checks and easing congestion, has not yet delivered the expected benefits.
According to a statement issued by Fraport Greece, the German-Greek consortium that manages the airport, responsibility for activating the system lies with the Greek Police, not the operator. The police, as cited in the statement, are conducting technical tests to ensure proper integration and functionality, which are expected to be completed "in the near future". The vagueness of this timeline offers no clear indication of when the system will actually become operational.
The delay is a familiar example of slow-moving public administration in Greece. Despite the infrastructure being in place and funds already spent, the system remains unused, effectively becoming "frozen capital". Meanwhile, travellers continue to face inconvenience, raising questions about the efficiency of state services that are meant to serve the public.
The tone and timing of Fraport Greece's announcement, issued during the busy Easter travel period, seem to be an attempt to publicly distance itself from responsibility. The statement emphasises twice that the EES is not under its control and stresses that its staff are present throughout the airport to assist passengers. This reflects mounting complaints and pressure, as well as a need for the operator to clarify its role.
The situation reveals friction between private airport management and public security authorities. Such disagreements would likely have remained out of public view if the airport were still fully state-run. In this case, however, the division of responsibilities has brought the issue into the open.
The underlying causes of the delay, including possible technical issues, contractual problems, or administrative inefficiencies, can be questioned. Similar systems are already in place at other European airports. However, for passengers, the reasons are largely irrelevant. What matters is that the system becomes operational, as the ongoing delay is already damaging the airport's service quality.
by Giorgos Mitrakis - adapted from Greek by Vassia Barba
